Venezuela are in the final four of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea
A dominant display from Venezuela, who went at the US goal from the get go. Not even a full minute into the game and Jonathan Klinsmann was already having to make vital saves to keep his team in the game. However it would take Venezuela until extra time to finally open the score, eventually earning a 2-1 win.
The US, which had butt raped New Zealand in the final sixteenth, was completely outplayed and outclassed for most of the game. It took them until the final 10 minutes of the second half to actually put some pressure on Venezuela. And seven hells, they nearly won the game with a header from Palmer-Brown in the last play of regular time.
There should have been no need for extra time though. Unfortunately for the south american side, luck and accuracy was not much on their side today, considering they hit the bar twice or was it thrice?. Finally in extra time, Peñaranda put in the first goal for La Vinotinto after a low cross from the left flank. 20 minutes later, Ferraresi would score the second to give his team some much needed peace of mind.
However that would not last, as Ebobisse would get the discount a minute later and get the US back in the game, for some 5 minutes that is. A shame really, since they had not been scored on so far on the tournament, and had they advanced without receiving goals it would have been a record in this stage. In the end Venezuela had to suffer, but they reached the semifinals for the first time in their history. Important to note, this is only the second time they qualify for the U-20 Worldcup.
Now they will face Uruguay who just won his quarter final match against Portugal in a penalty shootout. All thanks to a world class display from Santiago Mele who stopped three penalties!