An unforgettable journey with a bitter end. The U20s’ dream of winning the World Cup in Argentina was extinguished four minutes from time, with Luciano Rodriguez’s goal winning it for Uruguay and bringing the cup back to South America after four consecutive triumphs for European sides. “Well done, lads. You’re the best of Italian youth,” was the message FIGC President Gabriele Gravina sent to the Azzurrini after the full-time whistle. “This defeat in the final doesn’t erase the extraordinary path this National Team have been on. I’d like to thank all the lads, Coach Nunziata and the technical and organisational staff because you don’t achieve these kinds of results without the vital contribution of every delegation member. The U20s’ brilliant run confirms two things: there are some fantastic talents in Italian football, and the work of Club Italia allows them to perform to the best of their abilities. Thanks to the intense emotions the Azzurrini have made us feel, we’re finally back to talking about youngsters. Now, however, we need to give them increasingly more playing time, let them grow and allow them to develop their talent.”

“The Uruguayans were better than us,” said Nunziata. “The pitch didn’t help us, but I think we’ve been on an incredible journey. We need to thank these lads for what they’ve allowed us to experience this month. This match doesn’t erase all the good things that have been done. Playing seven games in 21 days isn’t easy.” For Italy, there’s the consolation that Cesare Casadei finished as the tournament’s top scorer and won the best player award, while Sebastiano Desplanches was named as the best goalkeeper.

The game. Nunziata decided to start Pafundi, who bagged the winner in the semi-finals against South Korea, and went with Faticanti in the deep-lying playmaker role. Meanwhile, Giovane was selected at left-back and Turicchia on the opposite side. Diaz was the first to threaten with a couple of efforts from distance, while, at the other end, Boselli blocked a left-footed attempt from Pafundi. Desplanches then did well to keep out a header from Duarte following a Uruguay corner in a match that was very difficult due to the quality of the opposition, fatigue and the condition of the pitch.

Zanotti came on for Faticanti at the break (Turicchia was moved to the left and Giovane into midfield), while, eleven minutes later, Nunziata made another two changes: Pafundi and Ambrosino were replaced by Esposito and Montevago as Italy returned to a system with an attacking playmaker (Baldanzi) behind two strikers. In the 71st minute, Desplanches was in place to save a strike from Diaz from the edge of the box. The same Uruguayan player was involved as Prati saw red ten minutes from time, only for the referee to change his mind and reduce the punishment to a yellow after going over to the monitor. Nevertheless, the winning goal arrived shortly afterwards (86’), with Luciano Rodriguez (back after a two-game suspension) heading past Desplanches following a scramble from a corner. Eleven minutes were added on at the end and Italy tried to lay siege on the Uruguay goal, but they weren’t able to find an equaliser. We have to settle for second place, but it was a wonderful ride.

Schedule and results

QUARTER-FINALS (3-4 June)
Israel 3-2 Brazil
Colombia 1-3 ITALY
USA 0-2 Uruguay
South Korea 1-0 Nigeria

SEMI-FINALS (8 June)
Uruguay 1-0 Israel
ITALY 2-1 South Korea

FINALS: 11 June 
Third place play-off: Israel 3-1 South Korea
Final: Uruguay 1-0 ITALY

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Sebastiano Desplanches (Trento); Jacopo Sassi (Giugliano Calcio), Gioele Zacchi (Sassuolo);
Defenders: Filippo Fiumanò (Aquila Montevarchi); Alessandro Fontanarosa (Inter), Daniele Ghilardi (Mantova), Samuel Giovane (Ascoli), Gabriele Guarino (Empoli), Riccardo Turicchia (Juventus), Mattia Zanotti (Inter);
Midfielders: Tommaso Baldanzi (Empoli), Cesare Casadei (Reading F.C.), Duccio Degli Innocenti (Empoli), Giacomo Faticanti (Roma), Luca Lipani (Genoa), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), Matteo Prati (SPAL);
Attackers: Giuseppe Ambrosino Di Bruttopilo (Cittadella), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Daniele Montevago (Sampdoria), Simone Pafundi (Udinese).

Staff - Delegation Head: Marcello Nicchi; National Youth Team Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Head Coach: Carmine Nunziata; Assistant Coach: Emanuele Filippini; Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone; Goalkeeping Coach: Fabrizio Ferron; Match Analyst: Marco Mannucci; Scout: Claudio Coppi; Doctors: Carmelo Papotto and Lorenzo Ticca; Physiotherapists: Giuseppe Galli and Tommaso Cannata; Nutritionist: Alessio Colli; Accompanying Director: Gianfranco Serioli; Secretary: Aldo Blessich; Press Office: Giuseppe Ingrati; Administration: Francesco Casella; Club Italia: Matteo Galdelli; Logistics: Carlo Fanano.

History

(number of Under-20 World Cups won)

Argentina (six), Brazil (five), Portugal (two), Serbia (two), Ghana (one) Spain (one), Russia (one), Germany (one), England (one), France (one), Ukraine (one), Uruguay (one).