FIFA Under-17 World Cup: Rhian Brewster blows Brazil away

Kolkata: Liverpool youth team player Rhian Brewster scored a second hat-trick in two games on Wednesday to send favourites Brazil crashing out of the Under-17 World Cup and England into their first final with a determined 3-1 win.

The striker, who scored three goals in the 4-1 quarter-final win over the United States, floored the South American giants on the day.

Brewster scored in the 10th, 39th and 77th minutes in front of a shell-shocked 63,881 supporters, who unabashedly rooted for Brazil. Wesley scored for Brazil in the 21st minute. The triple strike took Brewster to seven goals, the highest in the tournament. It is the first time that a player has scored two hat-tricks in the same edition of the tournament.

“We are going to work hard and hopefully win,” said Brewster of the final, to be held at the same venue on Saturday.

It will be England’s maiden final appearance in the tournament after outplaying Brazil in a fast-paced clash.

The Young Lions did not allow the Brazilians to impose themselves in the match, which was shifted out of Guwahati at the last minute due to poor playing conditions following incessant rain.

England’s attacking trio of Phil Phoden, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Brewster created problems for the Brazil defence, exposing their vulnerabilities for the second time after their quarter-final against Germany.

The South Americans were uncharacteristically wayward and showed shyness in front of the goal.

Brazil lacked creativity as England dominated the midfield. Alan was Brazil’s creative fulcrum but his through passes were inaccurate and their strikers also lacked finesse.

Brewster silenced the partisan crowd when he scored from the rebound after good work from Hudson-Odoi on the left flank.

Brazil responded strongly. After a neat exchange of passes with Marcos Antonio, Paulinho drilled a low shot that England goalkeeper only managed to block.

The rebound fell to Wesley who blasted it into the net. After the equaliser, England applied pressure and were rewarded with the second goal.

Foden sent a pass inside the Brazil box and after Brazil captain Vitao failed to clear, Brewster reacted swiftly to fire home from close range.

The second half was a frantic tussle for supremacy and both sides had almost equal number of chances.

Brazil had the first decent chance of the second session in the 50th minute and Marcos Antonio’s long shot off a Paulinho pass from outside the box.

Brewster struck in the 77th minute after substitute Emile Smith Rowe got the better of his marker at the right flank and sent a perfect cross for him.