Israel secures 3rd place at Under-20 World Cup
Israel's Ran Binyamin, center, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against South Korea during the FIFA U-20 World Cup the third-place soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Sunday, June 11, 2023. Credit: AP/Gustavo Garello
LA PLATA, Argentina — Debutant Israel ended its successful appearance at the Under-20 World Cup by beating South Korea 3-1 on Sunday in the third-place playoff match.
Ran Binyamin opened the scoring for the Israelis in the 19th minute at the Diego Maradona Stadium in La Plata, Argentina, before South Korea's Seung-Won Lee equalized five minutes later from the spot.
Omer Senior netted in the 76th and Anan Khalaili scored Israel's third goal in the 85th to put the result beyond doubt.
Israel's surprise run at the tournament included the elimination of Brazil in the quarterfinals and knocking out Asian champions Uzbekistan in the round of 16.
Indonesia was initially scheduled to host the tournament, but the Muslim-majority country did not accept Israel's participation. FIFA decided to hand the organization over to Argentina one month before kickoff.
Israel men's team played at the 1970 World Cup in its only appearance so far at the tournament.
Italy and Uruguay play in the U20 final later Sunday.
Israel's Ran Binyamin (16) celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against South Korea during the FIFA U-20 World Cup the third-place soccer match at the Diego Maradona stadium in La Plata, Argentina, Sunday, June 11, 2023. Credit: AP/Natacha Pisarenko
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