Rhian Brewster was the hero once again as his hattrick guided England to their first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup final thanks to a 3-1 win over Brazil.
Rhian Brewster scored his second hattrick of FIFA U-17 World Cup as England defeated Brazil 3-1.(Samir Jana/HT Photo)
Such is the weight of history and the mesmerising qualities of flair players they produce with assembly line regularity that Brazil will continue to be keepers of football’s soul. But as Germany showed in Belo Horizonte before Holland did them, Europe is putting distance between it and sorcerers from Sambaland. (HIGHLIGHTS)
On Wednesday, England added their bit with a 3-1 victory through Rhian Brewster’s hattrick (10th , 39th and 77th) that took them to their first FIFA U-17 World Cup final. Boys or men, when it comes to World Cup semi-finals featuring Brazil, who had equalised through Wesley in the 21st minute, it is the Europeans who win.
It was the way England subdued them that was as striking as Brewster’s striking prowess. This wasn’t about goals from a melee or three or long balls into the area and hoping the targetman does the rest. From when Philip Foden ran down the right in the ninth minute to when he, about whom Pep Guardiola has good things to say, fired an 81st minute shot that didn’t miss by much, England were decidedly the better team in all areas of the pitch.
What happened at Salt Lake stadium where 63,881 came in less than two days’ notice, seemed to be the result of what England coach Steve Cooper has been saying ever since he reached India. The development work at Premiership clubs and at the Football Association seems to have nicely come together in 2017. England are the world’s U-20 champions and now one match away from taking the U-17 World Cup. That’s something Brazil did in 2003.
Like against Germany, it was Brazil who started better. Marc Guehi nervously headed back to Curtis Anderson but England replied with that Foden run. Next minute, they were leading; Brewster’s second shot being as important as the first which bounced off Gabriel Brazao’s chest. Had Brewster not shot first-time, he may have been closed down.
Just as important was Callum Hudson-Odoi’s pass that ripped the heart of Brazil’s defence. Like Brewster, who now has two hattricks in two games, Hudson-Odoi is good enough to play for Chelsea U-23s. He took some time to adjust filling in Jadon Sancho. By Wednesday, he looked well settled.
The second goal stemmed from a five-pass move that had Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White, Foden and Steven Sessegnon on the overlap finding Brewster. The third came from a three passes played quickly with Brewster again showing superb sense of position while finishing Emile Smith Rowe’s assist.
Brazil managed to come back once, again off a Paulinho blast – along with Vinicius Jr and Alan, he will move to Europe soon --- which Wesley finished. Brenner could have turned things around had he put better direction to Victor Bobsin’s excellent pass but England defended as efficiently as they went forward. Brazil did throw boys up and give Anderson his busiest night in Kolkata but against such a well-drilled team there would be no more comebacks.