Young Lions end 51-year drought, Latest Football News - The New Paper
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Young Lions end 51-year drought

Calvert-Lewin and Woodman star in England's first Under-20 World Cup triumph

UNDER-20 WORLD CUP FINAL
ENGLAND VENEZUELA
1 0
(Dominic Calvert-Lewin 35)  

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Freddie Woodman grabbed the headlines in a team of heroes as England won the Fifa Under-20 World Cup for the first time yesterday by beating Venezuela in Suwon, South Korea.

Paul Simpson's Young Lions were the first England side to reach a world showpiece for over half a century and they followed in the footsteps of Sir Alf Ramsey's team, who lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966.

Everton's Calvert-Lewin scored the game's only goal after 35 minutes, while a second-half penalty save from Newcastle goalkeeper Woodman preserved England's 1-0 lead and ensured they became world champions.

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Following a slow start, the game was lit up by an audacious long-range effort after 16 minutes from Venezuela's Ronaldo Lucena, whose swerving, dipping free-kick from all of 40 metres clipped the outside of a post.

Ademola Lookman brought a decent save from Wuilker Farinez before Calvert-Lewin wrote his name into the history books with what proved to be the winning goal.

The Everton forward contested a long, diagonal ball behind the Venezuela defence and saw his initial effort well saved before tapping home the rebound from close range.

Calvert-Lewin became the third England player to score in a World Cup final after Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters in 1966 - the last time England won any world title.

Another free-kick brought another moment of panic for England just before half-time as Adalberto Penaranda curled an effort narrowly wide.

Tottenham midfielder Josh Onomah saw a 30-metre effort strike the underside of the Venezuela crossbar early in the second half as England pushed for a second goal.

However, the South Americans were becoming increasing dangerous and were given a golden opportunity to get back into the match when Penaranda went down following a clash of knees with Jake Clarke-Salter.

With 17 minutes to play, the referee pointed to the spot before immediately referring the decision to the video assistant referee.

The penalty award stood, but Woodman's strong palm kept out Penaranda's spot-kick, despite diving the wrong way.

A frantic finale saw England hang on to lift the trophy, surpassing their previous best at the U-20 World Cup which was a third-placed finish in 1993. - PA SPORT

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