A totally deserved victory for Uruguay as they dominated the action packed encounter to win the Argentina FIFA 2023 U-20 World Cup, and Italy had no answer to match their high intensity pressing game on Sunday at Estadio Unico Diego Armando Maradona in La Plata.
The Celeste’s triumph ends a streak of four consecutive wins of European teams in the tournament.
The Italian’s best run before Sunday clash was a third-place finish in 2017, while Uruguay have twice reached the final – in 1997 and 2013 – but ended up taking home the silver medals on both occasions.
Uruguay defeated the impressive Israel outfit by a solitary goal in the semi-finals, where Italy overcame South Korea 2-1.
According to en.as.com, chances were few and far between in the first half of the match on Sunday, but they fell the way of the South American side with Italy keeper Sebastiano Desplanches keeping his side in the game.
The pattern continued in the second half as Uruguay throttled the Italian side and just when it seemed that the final would be destined for extra time, Liverpool (URU) striker Luciano Rodriguez was well placed to nod home at the back post to delight the 38,000 Charrua fans who packed into the Estadio La Plata in Argentina.
ESPN reports that more than 40,000 people, mostly cheering for Uruguay, attended the match at the Diego Maradona Stadium. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present.
Neither Uruguay nor Italy were among the favorites when the U20 World Cup kicked off on May 20, but unlike Brazil, Argentina and England they faced less resistance from clubs about releasing players for the tournament.
However, it is not mandatory for clubs to allow their players to take part in international youth competitions.
