SEOUL — England and Venezuela both came from behind Thursday, and both advanced to the Under-20 World Cup final.
The English team got a pair of goals from Dominic Solanke in a 3-1 win over Italy in Jeonju. Venezuela goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez made the key save in a shootout to help his team beat Uruguay 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Daejeon.
After Riccardo Orsolini gave Italy the lead in only the second minute, Solanke equalized in the 66th and added the third in the 88th. Ademola Lookman scored the other goal for England in the 77th minute.
England and Venezuela are in the tournament’s final, which will take place in Suwon Sunday, for the first time.
In the early match, Samuel Sosa scored an injury-time equalizer and Farinez made the big save for Venezuela by stopping a penalty from Nicolas De La Cruz in the shootout.
De La Cruz had given Uruguay the lead from the spot in the 49th minute.
Smalling backs Rooney to make England return
The absence of Wayne Rooney from the England squad ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland is a “big miss” but Manchester United teammate Chris Smalling said the forward’s international career is far from over.
Rooney, England and United’s record goal scorer, was dropped from manager Gareth Southgate’s squad after an inconsistent domestic season where he made just 25 starts and 14 substitute appearances.
“Wayne is a big miss because of who he is but hopefully he will be back,” Smalling told British media. “I think his numbers speak for themselves and he’s still got a long way to go in his career.”
Rooney has netted 253 goals for United and 53 for England.
Morata header rescues Spain
A late header from Spain’s Alvaro Morata rescued a 2-2 draw against Colombia in a pulsating friendly Wednesday as the host kept its unbeaten record under coach Julen Lopetegui.
David Silva gave Spain a first-half lead before Edwin Cardona capitalized on poor defending toequalize and Colombia’s all-time leading scorer Radamel Falcao put the South Americans in front with his 26th international goal.
Spain has played nine games since Lopetegui replaced Vicente del Bosque following Euro 2016, with six wins and three draws.
Colombia, meanwhile, remained unbeaten in seven friendlies played in Europe since coach Jose Pekerman took over five years ago.
Italy blanks Uruguay
A highly embarrassing own goal helped Italy to a 3-0 win over an understrength Uruguay side in a friendly Wednesday.
With his back to the goal, Italy forward Andrea Belotti used his chest to control a long pass from Lorenzo Insigne and Uruguay defender Jose Gimenez struck the ball decisively into the far corner of his own net seven minutes in.
Eight minutes from time, substitute Eder redirected in a cross from Manolo Gabbiadini.
Daniele De Rossi added a penalty in stoppage time following a foul by Gimenez on Stephan El Shaarawy. It was De Rossi’s 21st goal for Italy, moving the midfielder into 12th position on the national team’s all-time list ahead of 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi.
Italy hosts Liechtenstein in World Cup qualifying Sunday. — Agencies
