Brazil lost 1-3 to England in the first semi-final in front of adoring fans

Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium might have gotten a Sao Paulo makeover, submerged as it was in a sea of yellow, but the supporters could not stop England from beating Brazil 3-1 in the Under-17 World Cup semi-final. It is England’s first World Cup final in the age group but they won the U-20 event earlier this year.

Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster was the star of the evening with a hat-trick (10’, 39’, 77’) while right-back Wesley (21’) scored Brazil’s lone goal.

Brazil, true to their style, went on the attack from the start. But despite possession, England drew first blood in the 10th minute, against the run of play. Brewster was found in space behind the defenders in the box by a teasing cross from Hudson-Odoi and though his initial shot was blocked by the keeper, he was first to react to the rebound.

The Selecao could have restored parity within four minutes, had they been a little more clinical. Paulinho and Lincoln both missed chances to score as England heaved a sigh of relief.

The equalising goal did eventually come in the 21st minute. Following a neat give-and-go with Wesley, Paulinho’s powerful shot at goal was blocked by English custodian Curtis Anderson.

He though failed to gather the ball and Wesley, following up, knocked it in. Brazil, rejuvenated, ramped up the pressure.

Brenner got the best chance of the half in the 30th minute when he found himself one-on-one with Anderson after a long ball from captain and centre-back Vitao.

However, his shot was wide of the far post. And Brewster made Brazil pay in the 39th minute after latching on to Sessegnon’s byline cutback and smashing it in off the post while the defenders scrambled to block the shot.

Brazil’s hopes were then dashed well and truly by Brewster in the 77th minute, the youngster’s seventh goal of the tournament. The forward timed his run to perfection to meet Emile Smith Rowe’s low cross to turn it in past a hapless Brazilian defence.