SUWON, South Korea: England won the Under-20 World Cup final beating Venezuela 1-0 on Sunday for its first global title since 1966.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in the first half, and goalkeeper Freddie Woodman preserved the lead by saving a second-half penalty from Adalberto Penaranda.
England arrived in South Korea without winning a game in this competition in 20 years, and leave as the surprising champion.
“We knew when we came to Korea that we had a chance if we played like we knew we could,” England coach Paul Simpson said. “It was a tough game and we had to work really hard.”
Venezuela, which has never qualified for the senior World Cup, had the first chance when Ronaldo Lucena’s free kick hit the post.
Calvert-Lewin broke the deadlock 10 minutes before the break. The forward beat a defender to a free kick from Lewis Cook, had his first shot saved by Venezuela keeper Wuilker Farinez but reacted quicker to the rebound.
England was composed in possession in the first half but guilty of giving the ball away in the second. Still, it almost extended its lead out of nowhere. Josh Onomah’s shot from well outside the area hit the crossbar before bouncing onto the goal-line and out.
With 17 minutes remaining, Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot after Jake Clarke-Salter took down Penaranda in the area. Woodman managed to palm the shot away while diving in the opposite direction.
“They played with their heart and dignity,” Venezuela coach Rafael Dudamel said. “We were not able to give the country the joy it wanted but people will not forget these players.”
England beats Venezuela 1-0 to win U20 World Cup
England beats Venezuela 1-0 to win U20 World Cup
2026 PFL MENA season to kick off in Saudi Arabia
- Eastern Province’s Ahmed Albrahim set to make highly anticipated professional debut in Alkhobar
- Bahraini MMA star Hamza Kooheji enters 2026 featherweight tournament for his PFL MENA bow
ALKHOBAR: The Professional Fighters League today announced that the 2026 PFL MENA tournament will kick off on May 8 at Dhahran Expo, Alkhobar, showcasing the best mixed martial arts talent from across the Middle East and North Africa.
The third season of the tournament will feature the best fighters in the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions, alongside a slate of high-profile showcase bouts.
Headlining the opening card will be Salah Eddine Hamli, the reigning 2025 PFL MENA lightweight champion. Hamli’s championship pedigree and growing fanbase make him a centerpiece of PFL MENA’s continued growth.
Ahmed Albrahim will make his long-awaited professional debut in a featured welterweight bout. A native of the Eastern Province, Al-Ibrahim will turn pro at home — a key reason the PFL selected the region to host the season three opener.
His debut represents a milestone moment for local MMA and underscores PFL MENA’s mission to create pathways for homegrown talent to shine on a global stage.
Bahrain’s MMA legend Hamza Kooheji will compete in the featherweight tournament and make his promotional debut on the card. He is one of Bahrain’s most accomplished and recognized fighters.
“We are committed to building PFL MENA where the passion for MMA is strongest,” said Jerome Mazet, general manager of PFL MENA.
“Between Salah’s return, Ahmed making his professional debut in front of his home crowd, and the opportunity to welcome Bahraini fans supporting Hamza Kooheji, this event represents everything PFL MENA stands for: regional pride, elite competition, and unforgettable moments.”
Tickets are on sale from the evening of Feb. 12 and additional fights and event details will be announced in the coming weeks.
