Ukraine are bound for their first FIFA U-20 World Cup final after defeating Italy 1-0 at the Gdynia Stadium on Tuesday.
Serhii Buletsa and Yukhym Konoplia provided the moment of magic in the 65th minute. Ukraine's No10 popped up in the penalty area to receive Konoplia's low cross and steer it into the net from ten yards.
After a scoreless first half, Gli Azzurrini looked close to breaking the game open before falling behind. Roberto Alberico's through ball in the 52nd minute split Ukraine's central defence and left Andrea Pinamonti one-on-one with Andriy Lunin. But the Italy captain's blast was aimed directly at Lunin's chest and the goalkeeper comfortably blocked the attempt.
Ukraine nearly doubled their advantage seven minutes after taking the lead. Oleksii Kaschuk played Vladyslav Supriaha in on goal with a well-weighted chip but the forward dragged his shot inches wide of the far post.
Italy had the ball in the net one minute into second-half stoppage time, but Gianluca Scamacca's apparent equaliser was waived off after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled that he had fouled Valerii Bondar while jostling for position in the penalty area.
Next up
Third place play-off, Friday 14 June Italy-Ecuador (Gdynia, 20:30 local time)
Final, Saturday 15 June Ukraine-Korea Republic (Lodz, 18:00 local time)