… Solanke fires Three Lions to first World Cup final since 1966

ENGLISH football’s 51-year wait to be world champions could finally end this weekend thanks to the nation’s exciting youngsters.
England Under-20s have become the country’s first international side to reach a World Cup final since Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966. A 3-1 victory over Italy secured the young lions a meeting with Venezuela on Sunday.

In a pair of continental clashes today, La Vinotinto and the Young Lions both came from a goal down to secure their places in Korea Republic 2017’s 52nd match – England with a three-goal fightback, and Venezuela courtesy of a last-minute equaliser and some nail-biting penalties.
Samuel Sosa and goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez were the heroes for the South Americans in defeating Uruguay, while Dominic Solanke and Ademola Lookman orchestrated the fightback for Europe’s final representatives.
Liverpool’s new recruit, Dominic Solanke, scored twice either side of Everton’s Ademola Lookman turning the semi-final the way of Paul Simpson’s side.

Now Simpson is calling on the teenagers to take a last step to prove the country is on the threshold of a thrilling era at international level.
“We have to go and win to really put our name into the history books of English football,” said Simpson. “I am the proudest man I could ever be. It is just a dream to take an England team to a World Cup final. I was born in 1966 and that is the last time we did it.
“We now want to go and make sure we do ourselves justice in the final. We are delighted to be in it. I have said from the first day I got with these players how greedy we are. I said we want to go and win the final. I don’t just want to make the numbers up. I want to go and win it.

“The preparation for the final started the minute we finished the huddle on the pitch. That was the thing said to all the players: ‘Yes let’s enjoy this but let’s get our heads on it now’.
“At the time I didn’t even know who we would be playing in the final because our heads were so focused on this today. Now I know it is Venezuela we will get back to the hotel and get into the Venezuelan performances on my lap top as will the other staff and we will then start preparing.”
England endured a dreadful start in the game in Jeonju in South Korea – falling behind to a Riccardo Orsolini goal after two minutes – but the response was emphatic, especially in the second half.

Simpson’s side dominated possession, but initially this was part of their opponents’ choreography as the Italians were stereotypically obstinate, the emphasis on sturdy defence accompanied by rapid counter-attack. For 45 minutes it worked.
The England midfield, elegantly led by Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook, needed to quicken the tempo.

There were some openings before the break, but not clear-cut. Everton’s Kieran Dowell struck over from close range after a clever pass from his clubmate Lookman on 16 minutes.
Solanke also tested Italian keeper Andrea Zaccagno from distance, but there was a growing frustration when patience was demanded.