England claimed their first-ever FIFA Under-20 World Cup trophy as they clinched a 1-0 win over Venezuela in a thrilling final at the Suwon World Cup Stadium on Sunday.

England created the first real chance 10 minutes in but Dominic Solanke couldn’t round off a slick one-two as he failed to get a proper connection on his shot, which fizzed wide.

The Three Lions came close again as Ademola Lookman’s long-range drive brought a good save from Wuilker Farinez, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin sliced a decent chance wide from the resulting corner.

Ronaldo Lucena then came within an inch of a sublime opener for Venezuela, letting fly from a full 40 yards out, with the ball flying all over the place before cracking the outside of the post.

However, it would be the English who took the lead as Calvert-Lewin showed plenty of persistence to win possession from a long ball over the top, and although his initial shot was saved by Farinez, the keeper was only able to parry back into the path of the striker, who duly fired home with his left.

Venezuela looked to hit back after the restart but Sergio Cordova failed to beat Woodsman after being played in one-on-one by Soteldo, who had come on as a substitute less than two minutes earlier.

Josh Onomah was then cruelly denied by the woodwork after powering through midfield and unleashing a rasping 30-yard drive, which bounced off the line and away, with replays showing the ball hadn’t crossed the line.

Venezuela were handed a golden chance to draw themselves level with 15 minutes remaining as the referee adjudged Adalberto Penaranda to have been upended in the area, although he was unable to convert the resulting penalty as Woodman made a brilliant one-handed save.

Earlier, Italy managed to end their Korea adventure with the bronze medal as they saw off Uruguay 4-1 in a penalty shootout after the 90 minutes had finished goalless.