England boss Gareth Southgate applauds U20's after Wolrd Cup win

England's U20 side became the first team of any age group to lift a World Cup since the famous win in 1966!

The side, managed by former Preston and Shrewsbury boss Paul Simpson beat Venezuala 1-0 in South Korea. Venezuala missed a second half penalty which would have taken the game into extra-time. Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first-half goal was enough for a hard fought victory.

Manager of England's senior squad, Gareth Southgate was quick to praise the win saying:

'We are starting to see some real progress in how we work as national junior team. Ultimately the aim is those players come through to the seniors.

A big part of that now is for them to get opportunities with their clubs. If at under-20s we are world champions, there are enough players there to fulfil careers in the game without clubs looking elsewhere.

'The team will come back full of confidence, the clubs will get players that been through a brilliant experience, proved themselves at a very high level in their age group.

'There is always the next challenge, and they will come back into pre-season at an age where they have to try and force their way into the first team at their club.'

Simpson paid tribute to Aidy Boothroyd, who had managed the side before his promotion to the under-21s in February.

"There have been years of preparation and planning and I can't believe I have been given the task to be head coach of this group to take through to the World Cup," added Simpson, 50, who played at the top level with the likes of Manchester City.

LP