FIFA U-20 World Cup: Israel, Italy Qualify For Semis

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Israel, Italy Qualify For Semis

By Niyi Busari 

An exquisite solo goal scored by Dor Turgeman saw debutants Israel come from behind to defeat Brazil 3-2 in an instant FIFA U-20 World Cup classic. Israel will now play the USA-Uruguay winners in La Plata, while A Seleção will have to pack their bags for the journey home.

Israel had the better of the first half, but Brazil had its best chance. Following fine play from Savio down the right, Marquinhos’s effort from the back post, yards out, was kept out by the leg of Tomer Zarfati.

Marcos Leonardo’s excellent strike with his weaker left foot put Brazil ahead at the start of the second, but Anan Khalaili equalised with the header of this tournament. Kaique then pulled off a superb save to deny Turgeman and send the game to extra time.

Extra time held more drama and goals than your average 90-minute match. Andrey Santos’s exquisite flick set up Matheus Nascimento to restore Brazil’s lead, but Hamza Shibli turned a cross in at the back post immediately to level things up again.

The decisive moment came at the end of the first half of extra time when Turgeman dribbled through Brazil's defense before unleashing an unstoppable curler past Kaique.

An incredible second period of extra time saw Israel fail to score from the penalty spot twice, but Ofir Haim's side were able to hold on and complete an historic victory.

Israel are the first debutants to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA U-20 World Cup in eight years, since Senegal achieved the feat in 2015.

In the second quarter-final game in Saturday night, tournament leading goalscorer Cesare Casadei added yet another goal to his tally (6) to lead Italy to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023 semi-finals.

Casadei headed in the opening goal from Tommaso Baldanzi's corner kick to give Gli Azzurrini an early boost. Casadei then turned provider for Baldanzi, cushioning a header perfectly in the path for the Empoli man to double the lead.

Shortly after half-time, Baldanzi added another assist to his name, cutting back for Francesco Esposito to score with a delightful flicked finish.

Jhojan Torres gave Los Cafeteros a lifeline with a superb, curling effort from just outside Italy's penalty area, but it proved to be a mere consolation.

The future looks bright for Italian football as the nation has booked a semi-final spot for the third consecutive U-20 World Cup.

Casadei is now Italy's all-time top scorer in U-20 World Cup history with six goals, surpassing Riccardo Orsolini who scored five in 2017.