France clinch U20 World Cup, Iraq beaten in third-place play-off

Maiden title for Europeans after superb effort from PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola in Istanbul.

Alphonse Areola was the hero for France in the World Cup final. Ozan Kose / AFP

ISTANBUL // France clinched a maiden Fifa Under 20 World Cup title on Saturday after defeating Uruguay 4-1 on penalties following a goalless draw in Istanbul.

Alphonse Areola, the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, was the hero for France as he saved spot-kicks from Emiliano Velazquez and Giorgian De Arrascaeta in the shoot-out before Dimitri Foulquier swept the winning penalty beyond Uruguay's Guillermo De Amores.

Both 'keepers were instrumental in sending the game to extra time, and latterly penalties, with Areola making crucial stops to deny Nicolas Lopez and Felipe Avenatti during the regulation 90 minutes, while De Amores produced two sharp saves to keep out Jordan Veretout and Alexy Bosetti in the closing stages of normal time.

Earlier, Ghana secured third place after beating Iraq 3-0 with goals from Joseph Attamah, Ebenezer Assifuah and Frank Acheampong.

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