BUENOS AIRES Argentina were crowned world under-20 football champions for a record fourth time here Sunday when they beat Ghana 3-0 in the final.

The Argentines, whose great rivals Brazil have won it three times, scored through Diego Colotto's 6th minute volley, star striker and Barcelona-bound Javier Saviola added a second for his 11th of the tournament -- which is an all-time record -- in the 14th minute to lead 2-0 at halftime.

Max Rodriguez shot home for his fourth of the campaign in the 73rd minute.

Ghana, who lost in their other appearance in the final to Brazil in 1993, missed a late penalty when Abdul Ibrahim shot wide of the post.

A tearful Argentinian Coach Jose Pekerman paid fulsome tribute to his players afterward.

"They played quite brilliant football not just today but throughout the tournament," he said.

"It's difficult sometimes to play in front of your home fans because there is extra pressure but these young men were more than able to stand up and be counted when it mattered.

"This is a really great win achieved with wonderful football and as talented a squad as one could wish to coach," he added.

Emmanuel Afranie, his Ghanaian counterpart, admitted that the right team had won justifying their tags as favorites but added his side had gained valuable experience ahead of tougher senior tasks that lie ahead.

"Our objective was to come and gain experience as this is the basis of the team that will play in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup," he said.

However, the Africans were never able to settle once Colotto had volleyed home past Ghanaian 'keeper Maxwell Banahene.

The Argentines pressed home their advantage and playmaker and one of their players of the tournament Andres D'Allessandro set Saviola -- nicknamed "El Conejo" (The Rabbit) because of his protruding teeth - up for the second.

D'Alessandro's perfectly weighted cross from the right was headed into the far corner of the net by his skipper and former River Plate teammate to confirm Saviola's status as Player of the Tournament.

Some desperate last ditch defending kept the score to 2-0 but Rodriguez, who plays for Newells Old Boys, ensured the scoreline reflected the gap in class on the night when he latched onto D'Alessandro's lob over the defense to rattle it past Banahene.

Ghana looked to have the chance of a consolation when the referee awarded them a penalty after Nicolas Medina tripped John Paintsill in the area, AFP reported.

However, Ibrahim's faltering run-up to take the kick suggested it was not to be and so it proved as his shot drifted wide of the right hand post -- though he got a consoling pat on the head from Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez.

Earlier Egypt had beaten Paraguay 1-0 in the third place playoff to give Africa one of their best showings in the tournament.