Brazil proved its class once again, making a spectacular comeback in the second half to overcome a resolute Germany 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday. The remarkable win helped the Brazilians reach their seventh semifinal in the tournament.
They will now take on England in the last-four stage at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday.
For a moment Brazil might have wondered that it was playing at home in Maracana as a capacity crowd of around 67,000 cheered it all the way. Germany dominated the first half and even went ahead through a penalty converted by Jann-Fiete Arp.
Brazil turned the match on its head after the break, with substitute Weverson finding the equaliser before Paulinho’s pile-driver swung the match in its favour.
The Selecao, overwhelming favourites in this part of the world, gave enough reason to cheer in the first 15 minutes, controlling the pace through the trio of Lincoln, Marcos Antonio and Alan, and keeping the German defence on its toes.
Alan almost got the first beak in the sixth minute as Lincoln sent him clear of the German defence with a soft diagonal push up the park. The diminutive midfielder cut inside the German box and had a clear sight at the goal, but his attempt came off the far upright. The golden opportunity came after Lincoln displayed his potential, breaking clear of the German deep defence in the third minute.
Typically, the Germans made a tactical switch-over, and went on to take control after the first 15 minutes. With Nicolas Kuehn and John Yeboah making speedy runs on the wings, the Brazilians had to troop back to defend. The combination of Kuehn and Yeboah almost got the Germans the lead in the 16th minute, but the Brazilian defence rose to the occasion.
As the Germans went for the next onslaught, Brazil defender Lucas Halter’s unnecessary tackle on Yeboah, who was breaking free, saw the referee point to the spot. Jann-Fiete Arp scored off the penalty.
Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu sought to remove the inconsistency in the attack by introducing Weverson and Yuri Alberto after the break. Operating from deep, Weverson brought alive the left flank and helped the Brazilians spread the game across the park.
They found the equaliser in the 71st minute when Alan smartly set Weverson with the opportunity and the latter finished the move with a sharp left-footer.
Keeping up the tempo, Brazil found the winner six minutes later, thanks to Paulinho’s thunderous shot from around 25 yards.
The result: Brazil 2 (Weverson 71, Paulinho 77) bt Germany 1 (Arp 21-pen).
