Dominic Solanke Brace Fires England to U-20 FIFA World Cup Final with Italy Win

England booked their place in the 2017 Under-20 FIFA World Cup final on Thursday at the expense of Italy as they came from behind to win 3-1 in Jeonju, South Korea, thanks to a brace from Dominic Solanke.

Riccardo Orsolini put Italy ahead after two minutes, but England responded by dominating the contest and came back in the second half, with Solanke finding the net either side of a goal from Ademola Lookman.

Former England internationals Jamie Carragher and Phil Neville were full of praise:

"

Brilliant this is from @England u20's

— Philip Neville (@fizzer18) June 8, 2017"

They will play Venezuela in the final after they triumphed on penalties to beat Uruguay in the other semi-final.

The Azzurrini got off to the perfect start when a quick free-kick allowed Andrea Favilli to hit England on the break. He picked out Orsolini after turning Fikayo Tomori, and the Juventus youngster rifled in a lovely finish from just inside the area.

It was Favilli's third assist of the competition, and as demonstrated by OptaPaolo, Orsolini has been one of the players of the tournament:

England responded well to the early setback as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, with Solanke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Kieran Dowell linking up well.

The latter came the closest when he volleyed Lookman's pass on to the roof of the net from a tight angle after escaping Federico Dimarco, but the Italians remained resolute at the back, per sports journalist Emma Sanders:

"

16 minutes gone and not too much else has happened. Italy defending well and England struggling to get into the box.

— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) June 8, 2017"

England continued to control the possession, and they almost pulled level with two chances for Solanke late in the half. He glanced a header narrowly wide before unleashing a vicious, swerving strike from 25 yards that goalkeeper Andrea Zaccagno had to beat away.

Paul Simpson's side took the initiative again after the break, though their first chance of note in the second period came in a counter-attack when Solanke embarked on a superb solo run from deep inside his own half, but after closing in on goal, he fired wide from the edge of the box.

JUNG YEON-JE/Getty Images

Shortly after, substitute Sheyi Ojo and Jonjoe Kenny both shot just off-target in quick succession, while Ojo also curled another effort on to the post.

Sports writer Frankie Taylor hailed his impact:

"

England have gone so close in the last 10 minutes. Ojo helped pick up the pace. Would expect to see Adam Armstrong on soon-ish.

— Frankie Taylor (@fptaylormedia) June 8, 2017"

Indeed, he came close a third time just minutes later, but Zaccagno made a smart save with his feet.

England eventually pulled level through Solanke when Zaccagno spilled Ojo's cross at his feet, leaving him with a simple tap-in. The Three Lions almost took the lead a minute later when Kenny whipped the ball into the box, but Filippo Romagna made a vital clearance to deny Solanke a second.

Eleven minutes after equalising, England took the lead when Ojo's cross fell kindly for Lookman, and he finished from close range.

Scouted Football praised his efforts:

Solanke sealed the victory with two minutes of normal time remaining when he found himself in space 25 yards out, and Zaccagno failed to keep out his low, dipping strike.

England will be hoping to replicate their impressive performance against Venezuela on Sunday.