Players of Uruguay celebrate victory after the FIFA U20 World Cup final match between Uruguay and Italy in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)
LA PLATA, Argentina, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Forward Luciano Rodriguez scored late as Uruguay secured their first Under-20 World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Italy here on Sunday.
Rodriguez struck with an 86th-minute header as the Celeste ended a run of four consecutive triumphs for European teams in the tournament.
"This is a crazy feeling. We are champions of the world. What can I say?" said 19-year-old Rodriguez, who plays his club football for Uruguay's Liverpool Montevideo.
"It's a feeling of ecstasy. We were the better team and deserved to win. This is such a close group. Every player gave their all in each training session and each match, and that was a telling factor in the end."
More than 40,000 spectators watched the final at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, around 50km southeast of Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Among those present were FIFA President Gianni Infantino and South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) chief Alejandro Dominguez. ■
Players of Uruguay celebrate victory after the FIFA U20 World Cup final match between Uruguay and Italy in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)
Luciano Rodriguez (L) of Uruguay vies with Samuel Giovane of Italy during the FIFA U20 World Cup final match between Uruguay and Italy in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong)
Tommaso Baldanzi (R) of Italy vies with Rodrigo Chagas of Uruguay during the FIFA U20 World Cup final match between Uruguay and Italy in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong)
Samuel Giovane (2nd L) of Italy fights for a header during the FIFA U20 World Cup final match between Uruguay and Italy in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong)
Daniele Montevago (R) of Italy vies with Facundo Gonzalez of Uruguay during the FIFA U20 World Cup final match between Uruguay and Italy in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong)
