Freddie Woodman saves penalty as impressive England win Under 20 World Cup

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the only game of the game as England withstood a second half fightback to beat Venezuela 1-0 to claim the U20 World Cup in South Korea, with Freddie Woodman saving a penalty.

Calvert-Lewin followed up his own saved effort to slot past Wuilker Farinez only minutes after Ronaldo Lucena had hit the post with an astonishing free-kick from 40 yards, giving England a 1-0 lead at the break.

Venezuela grew into the game in the second-half, particularly after the introduction of Yeferson Soteldo, and the otherwise impressive Adalberto Penaranda had a penalty pushed clear by England’s Woodman.

Indeed, the South Americans impressed for much of the contest, pressing and probing for an equaliser as time ran out, but England held firm, digging deep and defending with everything they had to see out the win to clinch the country’s first world championship since 1966.

Is this the start of an English golden generation? Not since 1966 have an England team reached a World Cup final at any level, and so Paul Simpson’s side had already made history before they even kicked off against Venezuela. But by winning the U20 World Cup, England have shown their future to be bright. Just how bright, though? Will this triumph prove to be the platform for a golden generation? Or will this prove to be just another false dawn? Only time will tell.

Josh Onomah (England): Calvert-Lewin scored the winner and Woodman saved a penalty to deny Venezuela an equaliser, but Josh Onamah was the best player on the pitch at the Suwon World Cup Stadium, with the Spurs man controlling things for England in the centre of midfield. He almost found the net himself with a stunning strike from distance, hitting the underside of the bar, but Onamah’s performance was about much more than just that effort.

Venezuela: Farinez 7, Velasquez 6, Ferraresi 6, Hernandez 5, Penaranda 5, Herrera 8, Pena 6, Chacon 5, Lucena 7, Cordova 6, Hernandez 5. Subs: Sosa 5, Soltedo 7, Hurtado 5.

England: Woodman 8, Kenny 7, Cook 6, Tomori 6, Clarke-Salter 5, Onomah 8, Solanke 8, Lookman 8, Walker-Peters 6, Calvert-Lewin 7, Dowell 6. Subs: Ojo 6, Maitland-Niles 5.

24’ - OFF THE POST! What a sensational goal that would have been. Lucena strikes a freekick from about 35 yards out, completely deceiving Woodman, but he strikes the post! Wow!

35’ - GOAL! Venezuela 0-1 England. England have the lead in the U20 World Cup final! Calvert-Lewin has grabbed the goal, taking two efforts to beat Farinez after a great initial save! He showed persistence.

53’ - BIG CHANCE! That should have been the equaliser for Venezuela. Cordova was played in behind the England defence by Soteldo, but Woodman came off his line to make the save.

56’ - WHAT A SENSATIONAL STRIKE! Onomah takes aim from the best part of 30 yards and smashes the ball off the underside of the crossbar. It bounces down on to the line and away.

74’ - PENALTY KICK TO VENEZUELA! Penaranda is fouled inside the box and the referee confirms the decision using the VAR.

75’ - AND IT'S SAVED! Woodman has kept England ahead in this U20 World Cup final! Penaranda tried to go straight down the middle, but the goalkeeper got a trailing leg to it to keep him out.

England have won the U20 World Cup for the first time ever.

Ademola Lookman completed more dribbles than any other player at the U20 World Cup (22).