FIFA U-20 World Cup

Ecuador beat Italy for bronze

Ecuador achieved their best-ever finish at a FIFA U-20 World Cup on Friday by defeating Italy 1-0 in extra time of the third-place match at Gdynia Stadium.

The two sides entered the game with contrasting strategies: Ecuador's Jorge Celico made just one change from his semi-final starting line-up while Italy's Paolo Nicolato made six, opting to bench standouts Andrea Pinamonti and Alessandro Plizzari.

Following a tense opening period, La Tricolor began to dominate in the second half. Leonardo Campana came closest to the opener in the 56th minute when his long-distance strike pinged the far post.

Gli Azzurrini won a penalty less than five minutes into the first period of extra time but Moises Ramirez stretched to his left to save Marco Olivieri's attempt, keeping the match scoreless.

Nine minutes later Ecuador took advantage of the lifeline Ramirez provided. Olivieri's attempted clearance of a free-kick fell directly in front of Richard Mina at the far post, and the Ecuadorian defender tucked the ball into the net for the match-winning goal.

Jordy Alcivar of Ecuador battles for possession with Roberto Alberico of Italy

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Jordy Alcivar of Ecuador battles for possession with Roberto Alberico of Italy during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Alessandro Tripaldelli of Italy inspects the pitch with his team mates

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Alessandro Tripaldelli of Italy inspects the pitch with his team mates ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Raoul Bellanova of Italy inspects the pitch

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Raoul Bellanova of Italy inspects the pitch ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Davide Frattesi and Gianluca Scamacca of Italy inspect the pitch

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Davide Frattesi and Gianluca Scamacca of Italy inspect the pitch ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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A general view inside the Italy dressing room

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: A general view inside the Italy dressing room ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Players of Ecuador warm up

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Players of Ecuador warm up ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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A signed Ecuador flag is displayed

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: A signed Ecuador flag is displayed inside the Ecuador dressing room ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Mascots bring out the Italian flag

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Mascots bring out the Italian flag ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Mascots bring out the Ecuador flag

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Mascots bring out the Ecuador flag ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Wellington Ramirez of Ecuador and Matteo Gabbia of Italy walk out

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Wellington Ramirez of Ecuador and Matteo Gabbia of Italy walk out ahead of kick off during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Players of Ecuador pose for a team photo

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Players of Ecuador pose for a team photo ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Italy v Ecuador: Third Place Play-Off - 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Players of Italy pose for a team photo ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Jordan Rezabala of Ecuador battles for possession with Roberto Alberico of Italy

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Jordan Rezabala of Ecuador battles for possession with Roberto Alberico of Italy during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Exon Vallecilla of Ecuador and Gabriele Gori of Italy compete for the ball

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Exon Vallecilla of Ecuador and Gabriele Gori of Italy compete for the ball during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Jordan Rezabala of Ecuador battles for possession with Roberto Alberico of Italy

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Jordan Rezabala of Ecuador battles for possession with Roberto Alberico of Italy during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Jordy Alcivar of Ecuador battles for possession with Roberto Alberico of Italy

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Jordy Alcivar of Ecuador battles for possession with Roberto Alberico of Italy during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Leonardo Campana of Ecuador and Salvatore Esposito of Italy compete for a header

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Leonardo Campana of Ecuador and Salvatore Esposito of Italy compete for a header during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Salvatore Esposito of Italy battles for possession with Gonzalo Plata of Ecuador

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Salvatore Esposito of Italy battles for possession with Gonzalo Plata of Ecuador during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Matteo Gabbia of Italy and Alexander Alvarado of Ecuador

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Matteo Gabbia of Italy and Alexander Alvarado of Ecuador during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Salvatore Esposito of Italy battles for possession with Gonzalo Plata of Ecuador

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Salvatore Esposito of Italy battles for possession with Gonzalo Plata of Ecuador during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Richard Mina of Ecuador celebrates with teammates after scoring

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Richard Mina of Ecuador celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Richard Mina of Ecuador celebrates with teammates after scoring

14 Jun 2019

GDYNIA, POLAND - JUNE 14: Richard Mina of Ecuador celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Third Place Play-Off match between Italy and Ecuador at Gdynia Stadium on June 14, 2019 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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