Zambia’s hopes of becoming only the second African nation to win the Under-20 World Cup are over after a 3-2 defeat to Italy on Monday.
A thrilling quarter-final tie in Suwon, South Korea, was settled in extra-time by a goal from Luca Vido.
The Zambians paid dearly for giving the Italian play-maker the freedom of the Zambian penalty area in the second period of extra-time.
The Zambians will also be kicking themselves for failing to take advantage of playing against 10 men following the expulsion of Giuseppe Pezzella just before half-time.
Zambia got off to a dream start at the Suwon World Cup stadium when Patson Daka scored after just three minutes.
But five minutes after the break, the Italians equalised when Riccardo Orsolini headed past Mangani Banda for his fourth goal of the tournament.
Six minutes from time Fashion Sakala’s superb strike looked to have won it for the reigning African champions.
But with a place in the semi-finals tantalisingly close, a glorious free-kick by Federico Dimarco four minutes later sent the game into extra-time.
With penalties looming, Vido broke Zambian hearts when he put away one of the many chances that littered this thrilling contest.
