Vladyslav Supriaha scored goals in each half as Ukraine overcame an early penalty to beat South Korea 3-1 and win the U-20 World Cup in Poland.
The fantastic solo strike from Giorgi Tsitiashvili sealed the victory for Oleksandr Petrakov’s side. Valeri Bondar lifted the trophy high in Lodz as Ukraine have claimed a maiden World title.
The game started disastrously for Ukraine as after 5 minutes South Korea took the lead through a penalty awarded through VAR.
U20 World Cup champions — Ukraine put their portrait on the wall ??? pic.twitter.com/CtCKihfQhG
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 15, 2019
Ukraine then took control of the game but lacked composure to get the equaliser, despite controlling possession. That all changed on 34 afters after Volodymyr Supriaha coolly controlled and turned in the box, firing home to equalise for Ukraine. It was Supriaha again who gave Ukraine the lead at the start of the second half with another superb finish.
Ukraine have won their first FIFA U-20 World Cup!!! ???
This goal by Heorhii Tsitaishvili sealed it, and what a goal it was! #U20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/eNOepqrTNZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2019
South Korea upped the ante after this and forced some moments before the finale. Andriy Lunin showed why Real Madrid signed him, tipping a header onto the bar, saving Ukraine. Lunin was commanding the areas but it was Giorgi Tsitiashvili who had the final say with an amazing run and finish to make it 3:1, a nervy stoppage time but the job was done.
South Korea fell one victory shy of winning their first title at the biennial competition. A win would have given the country its first championship at a FIFA men’s tournament. South Korea’s only FIFA title so far came at the 2010 U-17 Women’s World Cup.
https://twitter.com/goal/status/1139958139720216576
South Korea still enjoyed their best performance at the premier youth tournament, surpassing the fourth-place finish in 1983 in Mexico. It was also the country’s highest finish at any FIFA men’s tournament. South Korea had also ended in fourth place at the 2002 World Cup that they co-hosted with Japan.
?? Lee Kangin takes home the adidas Golden Ball at the #U20WC ⚽️? pic.twitter.com/7Ph5HN6A5z
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) June 15, 2019
This still was a remarkable run to the final by a team that many felt wouldn’t even survive the group stage.
After losing to Portugal 1-0 in their first Group F match on May 25, South Korea won five consecutive matches to reach the final.
#U20WC AWARDS THREAD ⤵️
Your adidas Golden Glove winner: ?? Andriy Lunin ? pic.twitter.com/PgbHOHqSbl
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) June 15, 2019
But Ukraine snapped that streak with the championship on the line and capped off their own undefeated campaign with the title-clinching win.
Congratulations to ?? Erling Haland, winner of the adidas Golden Boot with 9️⃣ goals ?#U20WC pic.twitter.com/zxOSaD84Gr
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) June 15, 2019
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