First roar of the Young Lions

Kolkata, England produced a memorable come-from-behind performance to crush Spain 5-2 and win the FIFA U-17 World Cup final here today.England have now done a FIFA double in the same year, having won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in June. It was a sweet revenge as England lost to La Rojas juniors in the U-17 European Championship earlier this year.It was a night to remember at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan as England came back from a two-goal deficit to pump in five in front of a capacity crowd of 66,000-plus. This was after Spain went ahead 2-0 at the stroke of half an hour with striker Sergio Gomez bang on target. Gomez’s first goal came off a backheel, capitalising on a defensive lapse, and the second with an inch-perfect left-footed angular volley.Brewster firesHowever, England’s goal-machine Rhian Brewster’s powerful header in the 44th minute saw his team go into half-time down by two goals to one. In the second half, England continued the turnaround when Morgan Gibbs White tapped home an inch-perfect cross to make it 2-2. Phil Foden then found the target in the 69th minute and the winners literally sealed the issue in the 84th minute with the fourth goal scored by Marc Guehi.But the Young Lions were not yet finished as Fodden rounded off the tally in the 88th minute. Brewster won the ‘Golden Boot’ with 8 goals to his credit. Brazil finish thirdA goalkeeping howler and Yuri Alberto’s late strike were enough for Brazil to beat Mali 2-0 and finish third. Mali goalkeeper Youssouf Koita gifted Alan a goal in the 55th minute against the run of play and then second-half substitute Alberto scored in the 88th minute as Brazil hit their more attacking opponents on the counter in a match that never rose to great heights.
Brazil, who were defeated by England in the semifinals, did not come to the party and did not play the kind of beautiful football they are known for. Brazil had just three shots on target while Mali, who showed more attacking intent, had 10 hits. The scoreline did not show the whole story but Mali were also to blame as their strikers lacked finishing while Brazil goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao made some fine saves to keep them off the scoresheet.Nonetheless, the three-time champions Brazil ended the tournament in the third position after beginning as the favourites. This was the second time they finished third since the inaugural edition in China in 1985. Mali were denied a podium finish after ending runners-up in the last edition in Chile.