WORLD CHAMPIONS!
England youngsters on top of the world after Everton starlet seals final triumph
VENEZUELA 0 ENGLAND 1
ENGLAND are on top of the world after Dominic Calvert-Lewin etched his name into the history books on a glorious night for the national game.
The Everton striker scored the goal that decided a thrilling battle with Venezuela in South Korea yesterday, the triumph ensuring Paul Simpson’s Under 20s squad became England’s first football world champions since 1966.
England were just as indebted to Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, who made a superb penalty save from Adalberto Penaranda late in the second half.
It had already been a memorable weekend for England’s development teams, with Neil Dewsnip’s Under 20 B squad retaining their title at the Toulon tournament, but events in Suwon ensured it will never be forgotten.
A beaming Calvert-Lewin said: ‘It is hard to put into words what that feeling is like when the referee blew the final whistle. We wanted this
FIFTY- ONE years after Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup at Wembley, England can again boast that they are world champions. England’s youngsters, drenched in sweat from Suwon’s stifling heat, made history yesterday as Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal and a penalty save from Freddie Woodman — Gareth Southgate’s godson — ensured victory in the Under 20 World Cup final.
Paul Simpson’s side are now the world’s best in their age group. This generation of England stars are off to the best possible start.
When Venezuela threw the kitchen sink at Woodman’s goal in the final 10 minutes, England didn’t buckle. Instead, they found a way to win.
Dominic Solanke, who must have felt he was suffocating in the intense South Korean humidity, somehow found the energy, twice, to chase the ball into the corner to run down the clock in injury time.
Captain Lewis Cook looked to be running on empty after covering every blade of grass, but found something extra to make an excellent tackle in the closing stages.
This generation of England players are sick of losing. And this crop look equipped to alter the wider perception of English football.
Ask yourself this question: would Marcus Rashford have gained more from playing in yesterday’s final in Suwon or the 65 minutes he spent out of position against Scotland on Saturday?
Perhaps the Football Association should have stuck to their original plan to name the Manchester United teenager in the Under 21 squad for the European Championship later this month.
But they deserve enormous credit for their commitment to England’s junior teams. Not just for the investment, but for their resolve to ensure the youngsters are not just an afterthought.
Often, though, the FA’s hands are tied. The daily development of young players remains in the hands of their clubs. With that in mind, English football must not let them down. Give them a chance. Let them breathe, let them play in the Premier League.
And let them play without the fear of being dropped if they make a mistake or have a bad game. Trust them.
There should, of course, be an air of caution. The real proof will be when these boys take the step up to the seniors. Technically they are proficient; Ademola Lookman, who is with Everton, and Josh Onomah, of Tottenham, were the two stand-out players yesterday.
Next summer’s World Cup in Russia is likely to come too early for them, but Qatar 2022 or even Euro 2020 should be targets for these players.
As ever with England, drama was never too far away yesterday. Newcastle keeper Woodman’s brilliant penalty save from Adalberto Penaranda in the 74th minute — which was awarded via the video assistant referee — meant there would be no extra time.
If it wasn’t for Woodman, the story would have turned out differently. His excellent save to deny Sergio Cordova in a 52ndminute one-on-one kept England ahead and another fingertip stop to prevent Jake Clarke-Salter’s miscued clearance from creeping inside the post in the final minute was just as vital.
That’s not to say England didn’t have their own scoring opportunities. Dominic Solanke was thwarted by Venezuela keeper Wuilker Farinez in the 10th minute and Onomah hit the underside of the crossbar with a wicked strike from 30 yards.
In the end, the World Cupwinning moment arrived in the 35th minute, when Everton’s Calvert-Lewin fired home from close range after his original effort from Cook’s floated freekick was saved.
There were some bumps and bruises along the way. Solanke received lengthy treatment for a nasty looking cut following a clash of heads in the closing stages.
But England, for once, didn’t choke. Well done, lads. Very well done.