The final eight rounds have officially ended at the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Cup, and after several goals and red cards being issued, four countries booked their places in the semifinals round. England --one goal was enough to squeak past the young El Tri of Mexico, despite picking up a red card. In the other quarterfinal match, Italy played with 10 men on the field for the most part of the encounter, yet still outplayed Zambia thanks to a Luca Vido winner in extra-time.
Both winners will face-off against each other, joining the likes of Venezuela and Uruguay in the final four.
Mexico 0, England 1
This quarterfinal match saw a close contest with the young Three Lions narrowly booking passage to the final four round. The deadlock was broken minutes into the start of second half, as midfielder Lewis Cook found forward Dominic Solanke, who was moving towards the penalty box. The newly signed Liverpool FC youngster then calmly placed home the lead, notching the encounter's only goal and eventual winner in the forty-fourth minute. Holding on the lead apparently became a huge task for the young Three Lions, as Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Josh Onomah was questionably sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the seventy-second minute.
Particularly, Josh Onomah's second yellow became a topic of discussion, considering there was “minimal contact” between him and El Tri forward Juan Aguayo.
Consequently, Josh Onomah will miss the England semifinal encounter against Italy.
Italy 3, Zambia 2 (Extra time)
Though the young Azzurrini of Italy apparently reigned “supreme” over the Junior Chipolopolo of Zambia, who started off the encounter on a high note, the Junior Chipolopolo got off to a rapid start as striker Patson Daka got the opener just five minutes into the game.
Matters went from bad to worst for the Italians, as three minutes before the first half break, Palermo defender Giuseppe Pezzella was issued a straight red card after fouling Zambia forward Edward Chilufya close to the penalty area. Afterward, fortune began going the young Italian's way in the second forty-five minutes, as witty forward Riccardo Orsolini headed home the equalizer in the fiftieth minute.
Nine minutes into stoppage time saw both sides get on the score sheet, with the Junior Chipolopolo's Fashion Sakala scoring in the eighty-fourth minute. Four minutes later, Azzurrini's attacking midfielder Federico Dimarco leveled up the scoreline to 2-2 from a well-taken free kick. The young Azzurrini finally overcame their struggles, snatching the winning goal in extra-time. AC Milan forward Luca Vido was the hero on the night, netting in from close-range off a corner-kick pull out as Italy booked their place in the final four round.
