Ukraine and South Korea through to final for first time: FIFA Under-20 World Cup highlights - semi-finals

Ukraine and South Korea have both qualified for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup final for the first time after beating Italy and Ecuador respectively in the semi-finals in Poland.

South Korea Ukraine

Source: Getty Images

Ukraine 1 Italy 0

Serhii Buletsa and Yukhym Konoplia provided the moment of magic in the 65th minute. Ukraine's No10 popped up in the penalty area to receive Konoplia's low cross and steer it into the net from ten yards.

After a scoreless first half, Italy looked close to breaking the game open before falling behind.

Roberto Alberico's through ball in the 52nd minute split Ukraine's central defence and left Andrea Pinamonti one-on-one with Andriy Lunin. But the Italy captain's blast was aimed directly at Lunin's chest and the goalkeeper comfortably blocked the attempt.

Ukraine nearly doubled their advantage seven minutes after taking the lead.

Oleksii Kaschuk played Vladyslav Supriaha in on goal with a well-weighted chip but the forward dragged his shot inches wide of the far post.

Italy had the ball in the net one minute into second-half stoppage time, but Gianluca Scamacca's apparent equaliser was waived off after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled that he had fouled Valerii Bondar while jostling for position in the penalty area.

Ecuador 0 Korea Republic 1

Korea Republic came out pressing in the second semi-final, disrupting Ecuador's rhythm.

Lee Kangin continued his sizzling form in the knockout rounds with a clever free-kick in the 39th minute, surprising La Tri by taking it quickly to catch Choi Jun in stride behind the defence.

Jun curled his shot inside the far post to give the Taeguk Warriors a 1-0 lead they would not surrender.


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