South Africa's football fans have been following the U17 World Cup with bated breath, and the semi-final clash between Italy and Austria delivered a major upset. Austria defeated the favoured Italians 2-0, thanks to a brilliant brace from Johannes Moser, the tournament's leading scorer.
Austria's Unlikely Journey to the Final
Austria's path to the final has been nothing short of remarkable. They topped a tough group and then navigated a series of challenging knockout matches. Loris Husic, the Austrian midfielder, expressed his team's determination to win the competition, highlighting their collective strength and Moser's crucial contributions.
Italy's Heartbreak After Promising Run
Italy, who had been on a six-match winning streak, including a 3-1 victory over South Africa in the group stages, were left heartbroken. Despite dominating possession, they couldn't find a way past the resilient Austrian defence. Their dream of reaching their first U17 World Cup final in 38 years was shattered.
The match saw Austria's Moser open the scoring with a beautiful curling finish in the 57th minute. He then sealed the victory with a free-kick in injury time. Italy's Benit Bosario was shown a red card for the foul that led to the free-kick, compounding their misery.
What's Next?
Austria will now face Portugal in the final, aiming to secure their first-ever U17 World Cup title. Italy will compete in the third-place play-off against the loser of the Portugal vs. Brazil semi-final. For South African football fans, Austria's unexpected success story provides inspiration and a reminder that anything is possible in the world of football.
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