The Italians saw off South Korea 2-1 in their semi-final at Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona in La Plata, after Uruguay had beaten Israel 1-0 at the same venue.

Udinese forward Simone Pafundi was the hero for Italy as he curled home a beautiful free kick on 86 minutes with the game seemingly poised for extra time.

Cesare Casadei's well placed finish from the edge of the box had given the Italians a 14th minute lead but Lee Seungwon equalised for South Korea from the penalty spot just nine minutes later.

Bae Junho was adjudged to have been fouled following a video assistant referee check but Pafundi's perfect set piece would later settle the tie.

Korean keeper Kim Joonhong, who had earlier made a superb block from Matteo Prati's point blank header, was left rooted to the spot as Italy reached the final.

Uruguay's Anderson Duarte fired his side into the final as tournament surprise package Israel's superb run was finally ended.

Alan Matturro's low drive was pushed onto the post and Duarte reacted to poke it home for a 61st minute winner.

Israel had stunned Brazil in the quarter-finals but could find no way back as Uruguay reached their third Under-20 World Cup final having lost the showpiece game twice.

Italy have never reached the final but they did win bronze at the last tournament in South Korea in 2017 - beating the Uruguayans in the third-place playoff.

The final will also take place in La Plata with Uruguay heading into the game with a fine tournament record of five clean sheets.

Chelsea's Casadei has now scored seven goals, two more than his nearest rival, and is well placed for the golden boot. 

No Italian player has ever scored more than six goals at any version of the FIFA World Cup before, with Casadei now past the record held by greats Paolo Rossi and Toto Schillaci.

Before the final, Israel will take on South Korea for bronze.

Argentina is hosting the tournament at short notice after Indonesia was stripped of the rights in March after objections to Israel competing.