Game Recap: Sub 20 World Cup Final - Venezuela vs England

Venezuela's first ever international final and England's first ever under 20 world cup title.

The Venezuelan team had been undefeated for the whole tournament, winning all games on the group phase (2-0 vs Germany, 7-1 Against Vituany, 1-0 against Mexico).  After beating Uruguay on a penalty shoot-out on the semi finals made possible by a 90th minute free kick goal by the venezuelan national team. , Venezuela made their way to their first ever international final.

England also had done an amazing job, beating argentina 3- 0 on the group phase. A 3-1 victory over Italy led the team to the final.

Venezuela's team counted with the power of Adalberto Penaranda, their primary striker, and player for Malaga. Also Yangel Herrera, NYCFC player, wore the captain's band through out the tournament.

England Started with this line up: Woodman, Kenny, Cook (capitán), Tomori, Clarke-Salter, Onomah, Solanke, Lookman, Walker-Peters, Calvert-Lewin y Dowell.

Venezuela started with this line up: Wuilker Fariñez in the goal; Ronald Hernández, Williams Velásquez, Nauhel Ferraresí and José Hernández in defense; Yangel Herrera and Ronaldo Lucenain th midfield Sergio Córdova y Adalberto Peñaranda on the wings ;next a Ronaldo Peña y Ronaldo Chacón in the front. 

The game started with a strong performance from both teams. The first chance of goal  from England came in at the 10th min with a shot that was stopped by Farinez. 

Venezuela's first chance, came in at the 23rd minute with a free kick from the end of the center circle that hit the post.

At the 33rd minute Dominic Calvert- Lewin scored the first and only goal for the English team. A shot form the Lewin was stopped by Farinez and the server was able to get the rebound and put the ball in.
At the 54th a corner kick almost led to a goal from Venezuela's Penaranda, Woodman was able to stop it in the line.

A foul inside the english box at the 72nd min gave Venezuela the chance to a penalty. Adalberto Penaranda hit the ball to the center right of the goal and Woodman was able to stop it. This was the last chance for the South American team.

At the 90th minute a corner could have given Venezuela the chance to tie the game but England defense cleared the ball. The referee played the las whistle and England became champions of the world.

Some Game stats

Fouls - Ven 16 - Eng 16
Possesion - Ven 45% - Eng 55%
Shots - Ven 18 - Eng 17
Yellow Cards - Ven 1 - Eng 2
Saves - Ven 6 - Eng 4



Click here for more information about the game champion.

Venezuela's Starting Eleven

Englands National Team posted this tweet celebrating their young lions victory

Rafael Dudamel, Venezuelas head coach, talks to the press after their loss. The team was representing a whole country that is currently fighting for their freedom in the streets of Caracas.

The game had quite a social media reaction

Salomon Rondon, the West Brom striker, and Venezuelan national team player Tweeted this. 

Englands National Team posted this tweet celebrating their young lions victory.

Video recap of the game. 

Game Recap - NYCFC vs. Philadelphia Union

NYC FC vs. Philadephia

The game started off slow. The first opportunity came in at the 32nd minute with a  NYC FC shot to the bar followed a safe from the Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake. 

The next opportunity came in at the 45 + 1 minute. A shot from David Villa was stopped by Andre Blake again. Assistance from Harrison who took the ball down the line and crossed it to the spaniard who was waiting at the end of the box. 

The first half ended with a score of 0-0

10 minutes int the second half, the Philadelphia Union had their first major opportunity.  A counter attack led to a shot that was deflected by NYC' Shawn Johnson. 

Another crossbar hit for the NYC FC  On the 67th min, David Villa with a beautiful out of the box shot that missed the goal by an inch and hit the crossbar.

It is at the 69th minute that the Philadelphia Union took the lead with a goal from Picault.

Blake again, earning a man of the match title with a double safe on the 75th minute.

10 min before the final whistle NYC ties up with a header from Channot. Morales with the corner assist.

On the 85th the NYC FC with the come back goal. A rebound ball landed in Callens feet and he did not miss the opportunity.

The game ended with a final score of 2-1 and a NYC FC victory.

Gonzi

Gonzi Nunez is currently in San Francisco interning at the words best real state company, Airbnb. He is a computer science student who has had a lot of experience in his 22 years of life. Last summer he interned at Pixar, one of mu favorite movie production companies of all time.

Gonzi has always been interested in computers. However, soccer is one of his greatest passions. He played his whole life. All through out his middle school days, he was always captain of his team, he was very skillful with the ball and had very good vision of the game. A natural striker. As he continued his soccer career into high school things got a little tougher. He is a small guy, so in high school you are competing with kids from different sizes. One summer he was improving his skills at a summer camp where the unexpected happened. He tore the ligaments on his left knee. It took a very long year for him to recover. When he was able to play again he did so fearlessly, however, the coach didn't have the confidence in him. One night the coach called his name on the sidelines, Gonzi went into the game and scored the goal that gave our team the victory, a couple of plays later, he tore the ligaments on his left knee again. That was it for him, he lost faith in soccer.

Fastforward a couple of years later, he finally had recovered, he was not planning on playing soccer again.  His studies where going great, he had a job at a Gainesville start up called Grooveshark as a software engineer. On night, he wa invited by some friends to play the intramural game, and the horrible happened again, he tore the ligaments on his knee, this time on the right leg. he was devastated.

The sport that he loved had failed him three times.

Gonzi is currently finishing his senior year in college, his computer skilss are impeccable and he will for sure have a very prestigious job as he graduates. He still watches all the Real Madrid games and wears his Arsenal Gunners jersey with pride. You can find some of his apps on the iTunes App Store.