Israel Stuns Brazil, Advances to Under-20 World Cup Semifinals

Israel shocked the favorite Brazil, winning 3-2 and advancing to the semifinals of the Under-20 World Cup in San Juan on Saturday. The tense match featured extra-time goals and two wasted penalty shots by Israel. They will now face Uruguay or the United States in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Italy also reached the last four in the tournament in Argentina, beating Colombia 3-1. Its next rival will be the winner of the match between Nigeria and South Korea on Sunday. Cesare Casadei, one of the top players of the tournament, scored with a header in the 9th minute. Tommaso Baldanzi added a second from close range in the 38th minute and Francesco Esposito made it 3-0 in the 46th minute. Colombia reduced its deficit with a Jhojan Torres goal in the 49th minute from the edge of the box.

During the match against Brazil, after a scoreless first half, Marcos Leonardo netted first for Brazil and Israel equalized with a header by Anan Khalaili four minutes later. Matheus Nascimento made it 2-1 for Brazil in the first minute of extra time, but Hamza Shibi scored Israel’s second two minutes later from close range.

Dor David Turgeman sealed the win for Israel in injury time of the first half of extra time after dribbling past two Brazilian defenders in the penalty box. Israel squandered two penalty kicks in the second half of extra time, which drew out the drama to fulltime. “What an amazing goal,” said Israel’s Tay Abed. “It was a Brazilian-style goal. That’s what Dor Turgeman can do. He’s a fantastic player. He’s been one of the best players in this tournament.”

“Israel was better than Brazil, we didn’t play our best match,” said midfielder Marlon Gomes, who played extra time while injured because Brazil couldn’t make substitutions. “We couldn’t hold our lead in two different opportunities. We could have done better.”

With this win, Italy has booked its third consecutive U-20 World Cup semifinal spot. The semi-finals and finals will be held next week.

(apnews)