Yangel Herrera played a decisive role as his Venezuela team made history by reaching the final of the U20 World Cup.
The on-loan NYCFC midfielder played the full 120 minutes and scored the final Venezuelan penalty in the shootout to send the Vinotinto through.
It had looked as though Yangel’s fairytale run in the U20 World Cup was over at the semifinal stage when Nicolas De La Cruz’s 49th minute penalty still separated the teams going into the 90th minute of this all-South American last four clash.
However, when Herrera was fouled, Venezuela’s Samuel Sosa struck an unstoppable 25-yard free-kick which took the game beyond the 90 minutes.
Neither side could find a way through in extratime, meaning the semifinal went to penalties where De La Cruz missed the decisive spot-kick after Herrera had scored his, sending Venezuela through to the final.
Venezuela will face England on Sunday for the right to be crowned World U20 champions at the Suwon World Cup Stadium.
Herrera’s men have now defeated Germany, Vanuatu, Mexico, Japan, USA and Uruguay to reach the semifinals and everyone at New York City FC wishes Yangel all the best in the final.
