Rhian Brewster hat-trick against USA fires England to Under-17s World Cup semi-final against either Brazil or Germany
Liverpool youngster scores three and Wolves starlet Morgan Gibbs-White hits the target as Steve Cooper's Three Lions move a step closer to glory in India with thumping 4-1 win
RHIAN BREWSTER scored a hat-trick to fire England into the semi-finals of the Under-17s World Cup after defeating USA.
The Liverpool hotshot was joined on the scoresheet by Morgan Gibbs-White to seal an historic place in the last four against the winner of Brazil and Germany.
After knocking out Japan earlier in the week Steve Cooper’s men proved too strong for the Stars and Stripes in Goa and made the perfect start.
The Young Lions made the breakthrough with just 11 minutes on the clock and it was as a result of some fine play from Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
He beat several Americans down the right before sending in a low cross that goalkeeper Justin Garces could only parry away – but Brewster was on hand to volley home the rebound.
Three minutes later the same duo combined again to double the advantage.
Foden slipped a splendid throughball into the path of Brewster and he produced a cool chip over the advancing ‘keeper to make it two.
Joel Latibeaudiere thought he had added a third moments after the restart but the City teenager’s header was harshly ruled out for pushing inside the box.
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But shortly after the hour mark England did inflict a killer a blow through Gibbs-White.
Goalscorer Brewster this time tuned provider as his low cross was turned in by the Wolves man at the near post.
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Thoughts were turning to the semi but Cooper’s side suffered a scare with 18 minutes left on the clock as the States got themselves back into it.
Josh Sargent gave his side hope of an amazing comeback when he prodded home – but it proved to be a false dawn.
England retained possession well throughout the closing stages as they edged closer to full time.
But things were to get even better for them in the final seconds of injury time.
Sergino Dest was red carded after a foul on Brewster inside the area.
And the Kop kid dusted himself off to thump home the penalty and claim the matchball.
All eyes will now turn to Sunday’s clash between the Brazilians and Germans to see who is up next for the young English lions on Wednesday.
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Danny Higginbotham's best bets for this weekend
- Man City vs Burnley - City to score 2+ goals in the second half (4/9): "The deeper Burnley drop, the more narrow they will become. That will bring Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling into the game"
- Newcastle vs Crystal Palace - Andros Townsend to score first (12/1): "Townsend has been liberated by Roy Hodgson"
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