Liverpool's Ojo Changes Game, Solanke Bags Brace, Lookman Strikes As England Turn The Tables Vs Italy

Published: June 08, 2017

England will meet Venezuela in the showpiece game of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup after coming from behind to beat Italy 3-1 at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium on Thursday night, local time.

Italy struck through Riccardo Orsolini with just two minutes played. The Juventus winger got ahead of Kyle Walker-Peters after a quickly taken free-kick before slotting the ball home.

The Young Lions mounted pressure, had majority of the possession but the Italians defended solidly, with Everton's Ademola Lookman involved in most of England's good moves going forward.

Chelsea's Dominic Solanke came close to equalizing with a glancing header in the 42nd minute but there was no extra touch from a teammate to take it into goal.

Goalkeeper Zaccagno came to Italy's rescue again a minute later when he pushed away a swerving shot from the Liverpool-bound wonderkid.

Sheyi Ojo made his third appearance off the bench in the 54th minute and that changed the game, he almost made an immediate impact but his shot was deflected for a corner.

England were getting closer and closer to netting the equalizer, Ojo tried to curl the ball in but clipped the outside of the post in the 58th minute, before the goalkeeper saved another shot from the winger with his legs just after the hour mark.

Paul Simpson's side were back on level terms with 25 minutes remaining. Ojo whipped the ball into the box, which was pushed away by the goalkeeper and Solanke was left with the simple task of tapping in.

On 77 minutes, Lookman netted his third goal in the competition, smashing the ball in after the Italians failed to clear Ojo's cross, before Solanke grabbed his brace with a well struck shot with two minutes left after nobody closed him down.

Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria (tactical decision) and the suspended Josh Onomah were not involved for England U20s, who became the first side to reach a World Cup final since 1966.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : fifa.com