La Plata: Korea Republic's hopes of lifting the FIFA U20 World Cup title were dashed after a 2-1 defeat to Italy in the Argentina 2023 semi-finals on Thursday.
Hoping to advance to the final for the second successive edition and lift the trophy for the first time, Korea Republic found the Italians too hot to handle at the La Plata Stadium.
Italy will face Uruguay for the title with first time champions to be crowned on Sunday.
Italy were the quicker to settle and tournament leading scorer Cesare Casadei broke the deadlock with a sumptuously-cushioned finish from just inside the box in the 14th minute for his seventh goal of the tournament.
Korea Republic, however, did not have to wait long to draw level, with Lee Seung-won equalising from the penalty spot after Bae Jun-ho was felled in the 23rd minute.
Italy, however, continued to dictate terms and their relentless pressure paid off in the 86th minute when
Simone Pafundi’s palatial free-kick left Korea Republic goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong rooted. -- AFC website
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