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U20 World Cup: Italy reach semi-finals

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U20 World Cup: Italy reach semi-finals

Andrea Pinamonti bagged a brace, but 10-man Mali put up a huge fight in a 4-2 thriller, with Alessandro Plizzari saving another penalty, as Italy will face Ukraine in the U20 World Cup semi-final.

The Azzurrini are unbeaten so far in the competition, winning four out of five games, while Mali eliminated Argentina on penalties after a 2-2 battle in extra time.

Milan’s Plizzari had to make the first save of the game on a Kone daisy-cutter from distance, but Mali gifted Italy the opener with an absolutely comical own goal. A corner was flicked on and rather than clear it, Ibrahima Kone powerfully smashed into his own net from five yards.

Plizzari continued his excellent tournament by parrying a Sekou Koita angled drive, but Mali again shot themselves in the foot with a straight red card for Ousmane Diakite’s shocking two-footed tackle on Luca Pellegrini.

Andrea Pinamonti went on a mazy solo run to force a save at the near post, but 10-man Mali still managed to equalise with a well-worked goal. Koita completed the passing move with his powerful show into the far bottom corner from 12 yards, his third goal of the tournament, after an Ibrahima Kone back-heel flick.

It became end-to-end stuff, as Italy poured forward to restore their lead and left gaps at the back, with saves on Luca Pellegrini and Kone, plus Matteo Gabbia turning a free header wide from a corner.

The Azzurrini dominated the second half and pinned Mali back, but Pinamonti blasted over and it eventually paid off when a set play ricocheted into his path and he drilled in from the tightest of angles.

Gianluca Scamacca turned a free header over, while Youssouf Koita made two sensational saves in quick succession on Pellegrini and Pinamonti.

Italy were made to rue those wasted opportunities, as 10-man Mali pounced on a double defensive error to roll across for a Mohamed Camara tap-in.

However, barely a minute later, goalkeeper Koita fumbled a long cross and clattered into Pinamonti as he tried to recover it for an inevitable penalty. Pinamonti converted with style and power, firing it into the near top corner.

Mali finally crumbled and Davide Frattesi sealed the fourth with a looping header into the far top corner on Raoul Bellanova’s ball cross.

The Africans had the chance to at least go out with an impressive 4-3 result when Bellanova clumsily tripped Koita in stoppages, but Plizzari fingertipped Koita’s penalty round the upright, his second spot-kick save of the tournament and Italy’s third.

The Azzurrini will face Ukraine in the Under-20 World Cup semi-final on Tuesday June 11.

Italy 4-2 Mali

I Kone og 12 (I), S Koita 38 (M), Pinamonti 59, pen 82 (I), Camara 79 (M), Frattesi 84 (I)

Italy: Plizzari; Gabbia, Del Prato, Ranieri; Bellanova, Frattesi, Esposito (Bettella 68), Luca Pellegrini, Tripaldelli; Scamacca, Pinamonti (Olivieri 88)

Mali: Y Koita; Fofana (M Traore 91), Diaby, Kanoute, Konan; M Camara, Sissoko, Ousmane; S Koita, I Kone (B Traore 69), Hadji (B Konte 87)

Ref: Elfath (USA)

Sent off: Ousmane 22 (M)

Saved penalty: Koita 96 (M)

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