Men’s U-20 national team have failed to reach the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, losing 2-1 against Italy in the last four.

Kim Eunjung’s side lost 2-1 to Italy in the semi-final in La Plata, Argentina. Lee Seungwon’s penalty cancelled out Cesare Casadei’s opening goal early in the first half, before Simone Pafundi fired Italy into the final with a well taken free-kick in the closing minutes. Korea Republic will face Israel in the third-place playoff to be staged at the same venue on Sunday.

Kim opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation once more: Lee Youngjun started as a lone striker supported by Bae Junho, Lee Seungwon and Kim Yonghak; Kang Sangyoon and Park Hyunbin in defensive midfield; Choi Yehoon, Kim Jisoo, Choi Seokhyun and Cho Youngkwang at the back; Kim Joonhong between the sticks.

Korea Republic sat back and prepared for the waves attack from the Italians who had advantage in terms of height and physique, whilst attempting to avoid any set-pieces from the men in blue: the voice of senior assistant coach Kim Taemin telling the players not to commit fouls echoing inside the area.

However, things did not go as they had expected as the Italians surged forward to open the deadlock after 14 minutes. Riccardo Turicchia intercepted the ball from Park Hyunbin on the left corner, before sending a low ball into the path of Casadei who duly scored his seventh goal of the competition.

It took only five minutes for the Taegeuk Warriors to draw level, as Bae Junho was brought down inside the area and a penalty was awarded after a VAR review. Captain Lee Seungwon held his nerves to convert the resulting spot-kick, to score his second goal (along with four assists) and match the feat achieved by Lee Kangin four years ago at Poland 2019.

The Italians responded with tough defending as the battle intensified, using their elbows and hands to keep the Koreans at bay – committing no fewer than 15 fouls and receiving two yellow cards in the first half.

But the Koreans kept on fighting back on the stroke of half time, with Kim Yonghak firing just over the crossbar following Choi Yehoon’s cross from the left.

Kim Joonhong made a series of fine saves as the second half got under way, parrying away the audacious effort from Samuel Giovane, before denying Matteo Prati’s pointblank header off a Tommaso Baldanzi corner.

Coach Kim responded by bringing Lee Jihan on for Kim Yonghak on the hour mark, and the Freiburg starlet made an instant impact with an inviting cross from the right. Lee Seungwon connected with a low shot that Sebastiano Despanches managed to parry away.

But it was the Italians that had the last laugh, as Pafundi curled a free-kick over the wall from the edge of the area to make it 2-1 on 86 minutes.

Bae Seojoon and Hwang Intaek came off the bench in the closing minutes as Korea went all out in search of a last-gasp equaliser, but it proved too little, too late as Italy held on for a narrow win.

2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Semi-finals

Italy 2-1 Korea Republic

Goals: Cesare Casadei 14’, Simone Pafundi 86’; Lee Seungwon 23’ (pen)

KOR: Kim Joonhong, Choi Yehoon (Hwang Intaek 90’+2), Kim Jisoo, Choi Seokhyun, Cho Youngkwang, Park Hyunbin (Bae Seojoon 89’), Kang Sangyoon, Bae Junho, Lee Seungwon, Kim Yonghak (Lee Jihan 61’), Lee Youngjun