As many Israelis were focusing on the tragic terrorist attack on the Egyptian border, in which three soldiers were killed, the Israeli national team competing in the under-20 World Cup, made history by defeating the powerhouse Brazilian national team and are now headed to the semifinals. A few seconds after the final whistle in the crucial soccer match against Brazil, social networks and sports websites around the world celebrated Israel's great victory over the team most believed would capture the cup. Many outlets praised Dor Turgeman, the Israeli player who scored the winning goal.
On the Spanish “Comutricolor” website, they rejoiced with a festive headline: "Israel kicked Brazil out of the World Cup in the style of 'Jugo Bonito'." With the final winning goal being executed beautifully by Dor Turgeman, the South American news site wrote “A Messi-qualified goal.”
Oh this is just brilliant. Check out the Israeli commentators (Kann), as the Israel U’20 team score historic victory over Brazil, to reach the World Cup semi-finals. #U20WC pic.twitter.com/2prcJkt34k
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) June 4, 2023
The surprise victory also made headlines in Taiwan, with titles like "Israel stunned Brazil". Even in Indonesia, the country where the tournament was originally supposed to take place but was canceled largely due to their refusal to host the Israeli team, the victory was not ignored and on the “CNN Indonesia” website, they posted a news story announcing that Israel was the first country to reach the semi-finals.
In the meantime in Brazil, on the popular “Veja" website they tried to digest the relegation: "The dream has been denied! After an uninspiring afternoon, the Brazilian national team surrendered to Israel in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup with a score of 3:2. The team finishes the tournament held in Argentina with three wins and two losses. The Israeli national team made history in its first-ever appearance."
Amazing!!!
— ElBluemountain #NeverAgain 🇮🇱 (@EBluemountain1) June 3, 2023
Israel beats Brazil 3-2 to reach the semi finals of the Under 20 World Cup.
Mazal tov, Mabruk to all the lads pic.twitter.com/Cf71UXtxMq
At the end of the game, Ofir Haim, a former Israeli soccer player and coach of the under-20 national team, said: "First of all, I share the grief of the families [referring to the mourning families from the terrorist attack by an Egyptian police officer earlier in the day]; this was for the whole country. I want to unite this country. We united it in the European Championship and now we are doing it again. See here that we are the better team, we deserved to win. Everything was extremely hard, but without a doubt, we were better against a high-quality team. As soon as you don't score there is pressure, but this team is so mentally strong. There is a strong character here, there are players here who believe in themselves, a tremendous team from the first to the last, there is a tactical ability, tactical discipline, quality, talent, and a huge heart here. We want to reach the finals."
Israel’s diversity represented in its unified, excellent team. The goal-scorers responsible for Israel’s win over Brazil in the U20 World Cup Quarter Final were a Muslim, a Bedouin and a Jew: Anan Khalaili, Hamza Shibli & Dor Turgeman. 🇮🇱⚽️#U20WorldCup @ISRAELFA pic.twitter.com/96VbuDtqBX
— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) June 3, 2023
It is important to note that in this victory, the three goals were scored by a trio that resembles the true fabric that makes up Israeli society. Aside from Turgeman who is a Jewish-Israeli, the other goals were scored by Anan Khalaili who is an Arab-Israeli, and Hamza Shibli who is a Bedouin-Israeli.
