FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 semi-final, Brazil vs England, Football Match Result: Young Lions reach final

A historic night for England as they reach their first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup final. Against a heavily favoured Brazil side and in front of a partisan crowd, the Young Lions gave an astounding performance to beat the South Americans. Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster scored his second hattrick of the tournament and he now leads race to win the golden boot with 7 goals. 

England will now wait as Spain take on Mali in the second semi-final. England have painful memories of playing Spain, as the Young Lions were beaten by the Spaniards in the final of the U-17 Euros earlier this year. However, they will take confidence from their victory against Brazil and will be ready for Mali or Spain in the final.

FT. Brazil 1-3 England

Brilliant scenes in Kolkata as the English players cut short their celebrations to console their Brazilian counterparts. The Brazilians make it a point to applaud the crowd that supported them wholeheartedly today.

Fulltime. Brazil 1-3 England

England players rush into the field in celebration as Brazil players lie down in agony. The World Cup dream is over for them, but deep down, they would know England deserved it more.

Fulltime! England are through to the finals!

That’s it! England are through to their first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup final. They outclassed Brazil on the night who had no answer to their forward players. Brazil can be proud of their efforts in India that could still culminate in a credible third place finish.

Steve Cooper’s side take immense momentum into the final, and might as well be favourites even before their opponents are known.

90+1` Brazil 1-3 England

Five minutes added by the referee. Five minutes for Brazil to get two goals and force the game to penalties and Yuri Alberto tries one from a distance but Anderson saves it comfortably. At the other end, Hudson-Odoi gets a chance to score England’s fourth but his powerful shot is straight at Brazao.

.88` Brazil 1-3 England

Phil Foden comes off to a standing ovation from the Kolkata crowd. Today, they and Brazil were resigned to his class, and maybe just maybe, his sublime show might coax the Kolkata crowd to side with England in the final.

87` Brazil 1-3 England

With victory all but wrapped up, England make another change as the impressive Phil Foden is replaced by Nya Kirby. Brazil too make a change as Rodrigo Nestor comes on for Alan.

81` Brazil 1-3 England

Foden has been thoroughly impressive today and the Man City midfielder with a powerful shot at the Brazil goal. The ball flies past the goal and even though Foden appeals for a corner-kick, the referee awards a goal-kick.

77` Brazil 1-3 England

HAT-TRICK for Brewster! It was a tap-in but he was there at the right place at the right time. However, huge credit must go to Phil Foden for creating the chance. He’s running the show in that England midfield today. Even with ten minutes to go, it’s game, set and match. England on their way to their first-ever U-17 World Cup final.

76` GOAL! Brewster gets his hattrick! Brazil 1-3 England

Back-to-back hattricks for Rhian Brewster as England inch closer to their first U-17 final! Foden wins the ball in midfield and sends Emile Smith Rowe free on the right. The Arsenal youngster puts in a brilliant low cross and Brewster is there on the far post to tap the ball in from close range.

71` Brazil 1-2 England

A substitution each for Brazil and England as Brazil’s Helio Junio comes on for Victor Bobsin while Steven Sessegnon is replaced by Timothy Eyoma.

67` Brazil 1-2 England

First change for England as Steve Cooper replaces Morgan Gibbs White with Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe.

66` Brazil 1-2 England

The Yuri Alberto chance has given the crowd hope. They have found their voice and it’s spurred the Brazilians on to an extent. England must be careful not to let this game slip away from their grasp.

62` Brazil 1-2 England

Two chances to score in a minute for both sides. First Phil Foden dances in the Brazil box and shoots from an angle only for Brazao to block him. The clearance sends Yuri Alberto through on goal and the substitute, under pressure from the England skipper, has a go at the England goal which is saved by Anderson.

61` Brazil 1-2 England

Brenner makes way for Yuri Alberto. The stadium has gone quiet and Brazil need to make the place come alive somehow.

60` Brazil 1-2 England

Brenner with an attempt from outside the box. His shot takes a deflection off Marc Guehi but Anderson does well to save it. Brewster latches onto the clearance but he’s fouled by Vitao. Brazil make their first change of the evening as Yuri Alberto comes on for Brenner.

58` Brazil 1-2 England

England are controlling the tempo of the game early in the second half. Brazil are yet to make an attempt of note since the restart and Yuri Alberto is stripped and ready below us receiving final instructions before coming on. The forward is been watched by Arsenal & Manchester United. Can he give a fine audition?

53` Brazil 1-2 England

A golden opportunity for England to score their third only for Brewster to head the ball over the ball. Hudson-Odoi with space and time in front of him, finds Brewster free on the far side and he puts in a cross with pin-point accuracy. The Liverpool youngster though misses the chance to bag his second hattrick of the tournament.

52` Brazil 1-2 England

Hudson-Odoi, playing on the right in the second-half, drives into the box and gets into a dangerous position. The Chelsea youngster though, delays shooting and Brazil quickly close down all angles for him and he’s forced to pass it behind.

48` Brazil 1-2 England

England’s plan in the match has been to hit Brazil on the counter and they launch yet another one as Foden spots the run of Brewster and finds him on the right. The England No 9 whips in a delicious ball in the box but Lucas Halter is first to reach the ball and he hits it behind for a corner.

46` Brazil 1-2 England

England get us underway in the second half and it is Phil Foden who mounts the first attack of the half. He goes on a powerful run towards the Brazil penalty box but Vitao gets ahead of him and boots it out for a throw-in.

Halftime. Brazil 1-2 England

It’s halftime in Kolkata. England go into the break with their noses in front. There were plenty of moments of Brazilian brilliance at the start, but England have looked more assured about themselves. The Young Lions ended the first half on the front foot. Big fifteen minutes for Carlos Amadeus who needs to lift his side ahead of the second half. Time for me to grab a quick bite before the hundred-odd fellow journalists beat me to the snacks!

Halftime. Brazil 1-2 England

England with a chance to score at the stroke of halftime as Gibbs White charges down the left only for the excellent Wesley to block his cross. England take a short corner but the referee blows his whistle for halftime.

44` Brazil 1-2 England

Lincoln with a chance to equalise for Brazil on the stroke of halftime. However, the cross from the left is behind him and the Brazil No 9 has to reach back to head the ball which flies over the goal.

39` Brazil 1-2 England

ENGLAND lead again! And it’s that man Rhian Brewster once again. England haven’t been as sharp with the ball, but have been decisive, unlike Brazil who, as a result, find themselves trailing again!

38` GOAL! Brewster scores again! Brazil 1-2 England

Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster doubles his tally for the night with another tap-in as the Brazilian defence is unlocked with relative ease by the Young Lions. Foden lays the ball to Sessegnon, whose cutback is palmed by Brazao into the path of Brewster. The Liverpool forward suffs his first shot but regains his composure to score his sixth goal of the tournament.

35` Brazil 1-1 England

Vitao makes a meal out of a routine clearance which allows Brewster to run clear with the ball. The Brazil skipper though recovers quickly and blocks Brewster’s attempt. Gibbs White gets on the end of the loose ball but he shins it weakly and Brazil clear the ball.

30` Brazil 1-1 England

That’s the second time that Anderson has failed to collect the ball properly as he spills a long-range effort from Wesley. He manages to collect the ball on the second attempt as Brazil players rush to pounce on the loose ball.

28` Brazil 1-1 England

Hudson-Odoi and Wesley have been among the best players for their respective teams and their battle will be one to keep an eye on. Hudson-Odoi drops his shoulder and sprints past Wesley but his cross goes behind for a corner. From the corner, Latibeaudiere rises the highest but his header bounces over the bar. Barely 20 seconds later, Brazil snatch the lead but Brenner’s attempt rolls past the upright.

25` Brazil 1-1 England

England win a corner and there is an appeal for another penalty but the referee just shakes his head and awards another corner. However, Paulinho goes down clutching his ankle which is a worrying sign for Brazil. The referee uses the break in play to take the cooling break.

21` GOAL! Wesley equalises! Brazil 0-1 England

The roof is off VYBK as Brazil equalise. A brilliantly worked move finally had a finish at the end. Wesley like Brewster finishing in two attempts. 1-1! Game on in Kolkata!

16` Brazil 0-1 England

Brazil had fallen behind to early goals against Spain in the group stage and Germany in the quarter-final only come back and win both games 2-1. So this game is far from over and England, who are playing on the counter must be wary of a Brazilian backlash.

14` Brazil 0-1 England

The crowd erupts as Brenner goes down and Brazil appeal for a penalty. Good decision from the referee as Latibeaudiere had won the ball fairly. Brazil almost get the equaliser but Lincoln scuffs his shot and Vitao, who is in an offside position cannot tap it in.

10` Brazil 0-1 England

GOAL! Rhian Brewster taps in from close range in his second attempt, but all credit goes to the composure and commitment England showed on the ball to create the opening.

9` GOAL! Brewster scores! Brazil 0-1 England

Hudson-Odoi with an inch-perfect cross to Brewster whose shot hits Brazao’s chest. The Liverpool youngster though is quickest to react and he pokes it beyond the Brazil custodian to give England a dream start.

7` Brazil vs England

And now it is Marcos Antonio who tries his luck from a distance. The shot goes is low and straight at Anderson, but the ball manages to squirm out under his arms but there’s no one in the Brazil colours to pounce on the loose ball.

5` Brazil vs England

Phil Foden with the first shot of the match for England. Hudson-Odoi muscles Wesley off the ball and finds Gibbs White who lays it off to Foden. With Brazilian defenders closing down on him quickly, the Manchester City player tries his luck from outside but it’s high and wide of the goal.

3` Brazil vs England

Brazil start on the front foot and Anderson has to come out of his box to deal with a long ball. Brazil win the ball immediately as Alan and Wesley try to find gaps in the English defence but to no avail.

Brazil vs England

We are done with the pre-match pleasantries and Brazil will kick us off in the first semi-final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017.

Brazil vs England

Lot of empty spaces at the Vivekanand Yuba Bharati Krinangan. The last-minute change in venue will perhaps take a toll on the attendance today. Still, it is learnt that around 30,000 are expected to make it to the stadium. Some are still trying to get out of their workplaces to get to the stadium it seems.

Brazil vs England

Brazil make one change to their side that beat Germany in the last round. Weverson who came on at halftime in that game starts the semi-final at the expense of Luan Candido who drops to the bench. England have named an unchanged side from their 4-1 win over the USA. 

The players are done with their warm-ups and have headed back to the dressing rooms. With 15 minutes to kick-off, one final sprinkle of water on the VYBK stadium pitch to make it absolutely perfect for these two teams to set it on fire with their football.

FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: Little to separate Brazil, England as heavyweights face off in relocated semi-finalhttp://www.firstpost.com

Brazil vs England

Here is how the two teams lineup:

Brazil: Gabriel Brazao, Wesley, Vitao (C), Lucas Halter, Victor Bobsin, Weverson, Paulinho, Marcos Antonio, Lincoln, Alan, Brenner

England: Curtis Anderson, George McEachran, Marc Guehi, Jonathan Panzo, Philip Foden, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Rhian Brewster, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Joel Latibeaudiere (C), Steven Sessegnon, Morgan Gibbs White

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017.