FIFA U17 World Cup round up as as Spain set to clash England in the final

Rhian Brewster scored a superb hat-trick as England beat Brazil 3-1 in the city of Kolkata to reach the under-17 World Cup final.

The 17-year-old Liverpool forward, who also netted a hat-trick in their quarterfinal win over the United States, broke the deadlock at the Salt Lake Stadium with a close-range finish on 10 minutes.

Brazil reacted quickly and leveled through Wesley but England regained the lead before half-time when Brewster was on hand to knock in a low cross from the Fulham full-back Steven Sessegnon.

With 14 minutes left on the clock, Brewster was set up by Manchester City winger Phil Foden who slotted home to complete his hat-trick and sent England to the final in style.

In the other semifinal involving Spain and Mali. The west africans failed to make it to their second successive Under-17 World Cup final after being beaten 3-1 by Spain in Mumbai.

The European U17 Champions was on the ascendancy 2-0 at half-time courtesy a well struck penalty and a slide-rule finish from captain Abel Ruiz.

Mali tried to find their way back into the game, but Cheick Doucoure’s fine strike was not given even though replays showed it had crossed the line.

Not too long after then, Ferran Torres headed Spain further ahead before Lassana N’Diaye grabbed a late consolation goal was his fifth of the tournament for the African champions.

Mali who were runners-up in 2015 to eventual champions Nigeria, Mali will now play Brazil in a third-place play-off on Saturday.

While England and Spain will go into a titanic battle for the crown on Saturday in what seem like a repeat of the U17 European final where Spain beat the heartbroken England via penalty shootout.

By: Ayoola Tope