The tournament had to be moved from Indonesia at short notice because of opposition from the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster to Israeli participation.

Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, does not have formal relations with Israel and is a supporter of the Palestinian cause.

On the pitch, Israel's young generation of talent have been impressing in Argentina, and claimed a major scalp by twice coming from behind to beat Brazil 3-2 at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in San Juan.

Marcos Leonardo's fifth goal of the tournament put Brazil in front, but Anan Khalaily levelled with 10 minutes to spare to force extra time.

An early goal in the extra 30 minutes from Matheus Nascimento appeared to have Brazil n course for the last four, but Hamza Shibli quickly replied before Dor Turgeman netted a winner with a stunning individual effort.

Israel has not participated in a men's World Cup at senior level since Mexico 1970, but this run coupled with a runners-up spot at last year's UEFA Under-19 European Championship in Slovakia provides optimism for the expanded 48-team tournament in 2026 and beyond.

Israel had beaten Uzbekistan 1-0 in the round of 16, while Brazil overcame Tunisia 4-1.

Israel are now set to play Uruguay in the semi-finals, after they proved too strong for the United States in front of more than 18,000 fans at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero.

Anderson Duarte opened the scoring on 21 minutes, before an own goal from Joshua Wynder gave them a 2-0 lead which they held to the end.

Uruguay edged past one of the surprise packages in The Gambia 1-0 in the round of 16, while the US thrashed New Zealand 4-0.

In the other half of the draw, Italy dominated Colombia to seal a place in the semi-finals by three goals to one in San Juan.

Cesare Casadei and Tommaso Baldanzi had Italy in control at half-time, before Francesco Pio Esposito appeared to put them out of sight three minutes into the second half.

Jhojan Torres pulled one back for Colombia a minute later, but a comeback did not materialise.

Italy had struck late to beat 2017 winners England 2-1 in the round of 16, while Colombia hammered Slovakia 5-1.

It has been an unusual time in men's senior international football for Italy, who were crowned European champions in 2021 but have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups.

In the other quarter-final tie, South Korea struck through a Choi Seok-hyeon header in injury time to beat Nigeria 1-0.

Nigeria had ended the run of hosts Argentina with a 2-0 win in the round of 16, while South Korea triumphed 3-2 over Ecuador.

Semi-finals at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup are due to be held on Thursday (June 8).