England Under 20s 1-2 Italy Under 20s: Three Lions CRASH OUT of World Cup at the last-16 stage

England Under 20s were left heartbroken after they crashed out of the World Cup at the last-16 stage to Italy in controversial fashion.

Ian Foster’s side had cruised through the group stage after victories over Uruguay and Tunisia, along with a draw against Iraq, but came up against a resilient and talented Italian outfit.

The squad was boosted ahead of kick-off by the arrivals of Coventry loan stars Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Callum Doyle, along with Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka after the trio finished their club commitments for the season.

England started brightly, but Italy went ahead after a fine pass from Guiseppe Ambrosino found Tommaso Baldanzi and the Empoli star poked home past Brentford’s Matthew Cox in the Three Lions goal.

There was a response however and Tottenham starlet Alfie Devine almost levelled straight away as he hit the crossbar with a powerful strike. 

Chelsea starlet Cesare Casadei netted Italy’s winner from the penalty spot right at the death

It was elation for the Azzurri as they progressed to the quarter-finals where they face Colombia

He was not to be stopped a second time however as he linked up well with club-mate Dane Scarlett down the left to volley home.

Both sides continued to exchange attacks in a hotly-contested clash before the Three Lions thought they had a penalty when Chukwuemeka went down, but nothing was given following a VAR check.

Controversy then struck at the other end as a powerful effort from Chelsea’s Cesare Casadei from distance hit Jarell Quansah on the arm. 

Empoli star Tommaso Baldanzi put the Italians ahead after just eight minutes with a neat finish

Tottenham’s Alfie Devine shone throughout and volleyed home the equaliser in the first half

However, Casadei’s controversial late penalty meant the Three Lions would be heading home

The defender seemingly turned his body away from the ball and made no particular movement towards it, but after visiting the pitchside monitor, referee Ramon Abatti awarded a penalty.

Casadei tucked home the spot kick and despite 11 minutes of added time, England could not find an equaliser and went down 2-1 to their opponents.

This meant they failed to equal their last appearance at an Under 20 World Cup when a team including the likes of Dominic Solanke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Fikayo Tomori won the tournament back in 2017.

Italy will now play Colombia in the quarter-finals on June 3.