USA 1-4 England: Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster treble fires Under 17s to first ever World Cup semi final

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England face a semi-final showdown with either great rivals Germany or Brazil after sweeping into the last four of the Under-17 World Cup for the first time with a 4-1 hammering of the United States.

Steve Cooper's side, taken to penalties by Japan in the last 16, found their quarter-final opponents a far easier proposition in Goa.

Liverpool's Rhian Brewster registered England's first-ever hat-trick, completed with a last minute penalty, and along with France and Mali they are the most prolific team here having netted 15 times in five matches.  

Rhian Brewster shone for England in their third World Cup quarter final as they beat USA

The Liverpool youngster scored twice and claimed one assist in the 3-1 victory in Goa

Cooper praised his young charges for delivering another emphatic victory as his side strives to match the feats of England Under 20s, who won their World Cup in Korea earlier this year.

'The key to tonight's success was the game plan,' said Cooper. 'The boys were committed to it and delivered it. They played like men tonight. The United States are a good team who created a lot of chances, but we look forward to a recovery period and then travelling to another part of India. We are all loving this World Cup.'

England's ploy of coming racing out of the traps paid huge dividends. They had scored early goals in all their group games and did it again against the Americans.

Manchester City's Phil Foden won lavish praise from Pep Guardiola after an eye-catching pre-season debut against Manchester United, and he was instrumental in England tearing into a two-goal lead inside 14 minutes.

His rasping shot was kept out by Justin Garces but Brewster was perfectly placed to smash the rebound high into the net. Three minutes later the same combination stunned the hitherto impressive States defence with Foden's dazzling footwork leading to Brewster darting between centre backs James Sands and Chris Durkin to slide in his third goal of the tournament. 

England cruised through group F scoring 11 and conceding just twice

The Young Lions continued their unbeaten run in India taking their goal tally to 14

Philip Foden delivers an assist for England's opening goal in their quarter-final match

It was an incredibly open game with USA conjuring up 13 shooting chances of their own in the first half.

Tim Weah, son of former African Footballer of the Year, and Chelsea striker George, just failed to follow up his hat-trick against Paraguay with another fine strike, and Josh Sargent who is joining Bundesliga club Werder Bremen struck the crossbar when he should have done better.

The contest would have been over in under 50 minutes but for Durkin throwing his body in the way of a net-bound effort from Morgan Gibbs-White, then Joel Latibeaudiere, the England skipper was extremely unfortunate to have a header ruled out for a push spotted only by the French referee.

The last time these teams met USA recovered from a two-goal deficit to snatch a draw.

But a repeat looked unlikely as England piled on the pressure in the second half. 

Morgan White-Gibbs netted the third and game-settler for England with 20 minutes to go

Gibbs-White latches on to Brewster's cross to seal the victory for England in Goa

Brewster collects the match ball and shows a fist in celebration of his first tournament hat trick

Their passage to a semi-final meeting was assured when man-of-the-match Brewster sped away to cross for Wolves starlet Gibbs-White to crash in his first goal of the World Cup.

John Hackworth's side gave themselves belated hope when Sargent notched his third goal of the tournament from Sergino Dest's low cross, only the third conceded by England.

Dest was to turn villain, however, with a red card tackle in added time, enabling Brewster to round off his and England's perfect night.

American coach John Hackworth acknowledged England's brisk opening was crucial to the outcome: 'We got off to a bad start, and we were playing against, arguably, one of the best teams in the world.

'All credit to England, but I thought we kept battling well and I think their goalkeeper (Curtis Anderson) made some world class saves. He was outstanding.'

Referee dismisses Sergino Dest for bringing Brewster down before converting his penalty

Breaking American hearts as they were easily swept aside by a strong English side

Football takes over in India as cheering fans watch England take a three-goal lead

Young Lions celebrate their reaching their first ever World Cup semi final