Zambia has lost to 10-man Italy by three goals to two in a grueling Under 20 FIFA World Cup encounter in South Korea.

Although the Chipolopolo Boys led twice in the game, Italy came from behind twice and went on to grab a winner in the second half of extra time to settle a 2-2 dispute after 90 minutes.

Patson Daka opened the scoreline in the 4th minute, a lead which Chipolopolo sustained but only until the first half, as Italy levelled in the 50th minute from a close range header.

Fashion Sakala scored a second for Zambia in the 84th minute to take Chipolopolo ahead for the second time in the quarter final encounter.

But Italy’s Dimarco levelled four minutes later from a free kick, despite the European being one man short due to an earlier foul.

The two teams had to get into extra time to settle the draw as they both chased a debut semi-final appearance.

Despite Zambia firing a whooping 19 shots on target, Italy managed to get a late winner from a corner kick to break Zambian hearts.

Although the junior Chipolopolo boys are out of the tournament, they will leave Korea commanding more respect having been the only African country to make it thus far.

Zambia beat Iran, Portugal, Germany and lost to Costa Rica before facing Italy.