England in U17 World Cup final after Rhian Brewster hat-trick sinks Brazil

Rhian Brewster said his feelings were indescribable after his hat-trick, his second in consecutive games, helped England beat Brazil in Kolkata. They will now take their place in Saturday’s Under-17 World Cup final – the fourth final England have reached in age-group football this year – where they will meet Spain, who were 3-1 winners over Mali in the second semi-final.

Still fired by uplifting quarter-final wins – Brazil came from behind to beat Germany and England thrashed USA – both sides quickly settled. Though their styles were similarly rhythmic, adventurous and inventive, – really! – England’s was the more effective and as such they looked the likelier, Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea feeding Phil Foden of Manchester City, who dragged his shot wide.

England did not, however, have to wait long to take the lead. Hudson-Odoi, whose battle with Wesley up and down the flank was a highlight of an invigorating game, came inside and crossed from the left, picking out Liverpool’s Brewster. His goalbound volley was too close to Gabriel Brazão who extended a saving foot, only for the rebound to be immediately jabbed past him.

As the half neared its midpoint Brazil took control, their right-sided partnership of Wesley and Paulinho particularly effective. After 21 minutes they combined in that area to create the equaliser, the former finding the latter and accepting a return before finding him again. Paulinho’s shot was then beaten back into play by Curtis Anderson, Joel Latibeaudiere dithered and Wesley pounced to score.

In midfield Tottenham Hotspur’s Tashan Oakley-Boothe and Chelsea’s George McEachran were struggling to cope with the dexterity of Alan and Marcos Antonio, but on the half-hour England almost retook the lead, Hudson-Odoi planting a corner on Latibeaudiere’s brow, only for the free header to be glanced wide. Seconds later England ought to have gone behind, a long, straight ball enough to set Brenner in on goal, and he confidently opened his body only to guide a shot just past the far post.

Profile

So, who is Rhian Brewster?

Show

Full name

Rhian Joel Brewster

Born

1 April 2000, London

Club

Liverpool, but he started at Chelsea before leaving in 2014

Why did he leave Chelsea?

In his own words: 'I was [there] from the age of seven to 14 but then I told them I wanted to look at my options because I didn’t see a pathway to become a first-team player there. There were a few clubs interested but once I knew Liverpool were one of them it was an easy choice'

Has he played for Liverpool’s first team?

No. Brewster was moved up from the under-18s to the under-23 side earlier this year and was on the substitutes’ bench for the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield in April. He did play in a pre-season game in Australia in July, a 3-0 win over Sydney FC

What does Jürgen Klopp say?

'I’ve followed him for more than a year. He’s a wonderfully skilled boy, real striker, good finisher, fantastic work ethic. He’s in a very good way, he’s a very good boy'

With 39 minutes gone, England did surge ahead again. Foden progressed down the right before sliding in Steven Sessegnon, who cut the ball back from the byline, and though Brazão’s touch complicated matters, Brewster quickly simplified them again, a Cruyff turn of sorts setting him up nicely to ram the ball into the net.

In their games against Spain and Germany, Brazil had come from behind to win, and both sides surely expected them to increase an already exacting tempo. But England seized the moment, looking calm and confident in possession. On 53 minutes Hudson-Odoi foraged down the right and crossed for Brewster, who headed wide, and though Weverson later did similar for Lincoln, the Brazilian too could only head wide.

Defending a one-goal lead in a semi-final, a team would expect a thorough examination in the closing stages, all the more so if Brazil are the opponents, but the anticipated onslaught never came. England simply would not allow enough space or possession before, on 77 minutes, they in effect ended the contest. A lovely turn from Foden allowed him to drive towards the box at inside-right, he fed Emile Smith Rowe outside him who crossed and, though the ball took an unhelpful kick off the turf, nothing was troubling Brewster, who gleefully smashed in his third goal.

Brazil were broken, unable to rouse themselves for a grandstand finale. So it is England’s youngsters who stay in Kolkata and await Spain on Saturday.

Brewster tweeted afterwards: “No words to describe how we all feel right now!! One last big push ahead fully focused on that now.”