U-20 FIFA World Cup: Serbia win through to final

Serbian players celebrate their win over Mali during the semi-final match of the U-20 World Cup. Photo / Brett Phibbs

This was a game that delivered on the hype.

Serbia will face Brazil in the final of the Under-20 World Cup, after the Europeans defeated Mali 2-1 tonight.

It was a thrilling match, easily the most entertaining fixture to grace Auckland during this tournament.

Serbia was deserved - if not popular - victors. Mali played a lot of the football, often very pretty, but struggled to penetrate the disciplined Serbian defence. The Europeans lived on comparative scraps but created far more clear cut chances and grabbed an inevitable winner in the first period of extra time. In truth they could have had several more.

For a semi final it was extremely open and for spells almost the entire 10,818 crowd - apart from a block of concentrated Serbian support - were chanting "Mali, Mali" in tune with their distinctive Djembe drums. Serbian have a more orthodox style, relying on fast overlapping wingers and pinpoint crosses in the final third and always looked dangerous on the counter attack.

In many ways, this game went far beyond just a sporting contest. After Mali's shock upset over Germany, their coach Fanyeri Diarra dedicated the victory to "peace in our country." The West African country has been affected by civil war since 2012.

Mali have been the story of the past two weeks. We are used to seeing a team in yellow lighting up a football tournament, but time it hasn't been Brazil. The Eagles upset Mexico in pool play, then took care of Ghana before their penalty shoot out win over Germany.

Meanwhile, Serbia's progress has gripped their nation. They have only been independent since 2006, and their last participation at this tournament (as part of Yugoslavia) was in 1987

Mali's drums entertained the crowd before kick-off but fell silent after just four minutes. A slide rule pass from midfield unlocked the Mali defence and Andrija Zivkovic finished with aplomb. Serbia had two other good chances in the first 15 minutes - with one shot cleared off the line - as Mali struggled to keep their shape defensively and the Europeans found space with ease.

Gradually Mali gained a foothold in the game. Their distinctive short passing game is a delight to watch, recalling the Colombian team of the 1990s and Portugal in the early 2000s. Lille pair Dieudonne Gbakle and Adama Traore impressed with their close control, before their club mate Youssouf Kone got Mali back into the match with a stunning equaliser.

It was an absolute pearler, a 30 metre angled shot that flew like a Scud missile. Moments later another long range effort was only denied by a fingertip save by Serbian goal keeper Predrag Rajkovic.

Mali dominated most of the second half, as the Europeans struggled to keep possession. But the African side couldn't find the decisive final pass - sometimes guilty of being over elaborate around the penalty area while Serbia went close twice, including hitting the crossbar. Mali also forced several free kicks, but couldn't match Roberto Carlos style run-ups with an effective shot.

Serbia went ahead from an Ivan Saponjic header in the 101st minute and could have added more, as Mali grew ragged and Kone was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Serbia 2 (A Zivkovic 4', I Saponjic 101')
Mali 1 (Y Kone 39')
Halftime: 1-1