England won their biggest international title since 1966 by beating Venezuela 1-0 in the Under-20 World Cup final.
It was England’s first appearance in the final of a global tournament since their World Cup victory 51 years ago.
Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s first-half goal was enough for victory thanks to Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman’s second-half penalty save.
Woodman denied Adalberto Penaranda from the spot after the Malaga forward was fouled by Kyle Walker-Peters.
With 17 minutes to play, the referee pointed to the spot to signal a penalty before immediately referring to the video assistant referee.
The decision stood – there was the slightest of contacts – but Newcastle keeper Woodman’s strong palm kept out Penaranda’s effort.
In the first half Ronaldo Lucena hit the post with an audacious long-range free-kick that had Woodman well beaten, while Tottenham midfielder Josh Onomah saw a powerful effort strike the underside of the Venezuela bar after the break.
England’s youth teams have won the Under-17 European Championship twice – in 2010 and 2014 – and the Under-21 European Championship twice – in 1982 and 1984.
Their previous best at the Under-20 World Cup was third place in 1993.
Six of the squad that triumphed in South Korea on Sunday were part of that Under-17 success in 2014. Woodman, Jonjoe Kenny, Dominic Solanke and captain Lewis Cook all started in Sunday’s final, while Dael Fry and Adam Armstrong were on the bench.
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