Lincoln and Paulinho on target as Brazil rally to beat European champions Spain
Threetime FIFA U17 World Cup champions turned the match around after they had conceded an own goal in the fifth minute
KOCHI: Goals from Lincoln and Paulinho saw Brazil edge out Spain 2-1 in a thrilling Group D encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here today. With a majority of the crowd in Kochi sporting replicas of Brazil’s famous yellow jersey, the Selecao came back from a goal down to seal the victory.
Spain started the game well. Playing with a high defensive line early on, the European champions gave the Brazil backline a few jitters early on.
In the fourth minute, Spain’s Abel Ruiz almost caught the Brazilian defence napping after being put through on goal by Ferran Torres. His shot, however, was kept out by goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao.
It didn’t take long for Spain to take the lead though. With Torres causing trouble in Brazil’s left flank with pace, the right winger managed to put in a low cross towards the goal. Under pressure from Mohamed Moukhliss, who was waiting in the middle, Brazil’s Wesley inadvertently put the ball inside his own net.
Trailing by a goal after just five minutes on the clock, Brazil responded by keeping a very high defensive line themselves. At times, the last two men in their backline, Vitao and Lucas Halter, were seen metres inside the Spain half. Brazil were all over Spain for the next few minutes. Paulinho’s shot in the 19th minute was saved by Spanish custodian Alvaro Fernandez. A minute later, Brenner shot from long range, his effort only inches wide.
After the close calls, Brazil’s persistence finally paid off in the 26th minute as Lincoln finished off a rebound that fell at his feet after Alvaro parried away Alan’s cutback from the left. Spain’s problems were compounded by an injury to defender Jaume Mateu in the 35th minute. He had to be replaced by Victor Perea.
Brazil continued to pile on the pressure and just seconds before the half-time whistle blew, Paulinho found himself through on goal, with a clever turn helping him evade a Spain defender. He made no mistake in the one-onone, finishing past Alvaro to give Brazil a 2-1 lead at the breather.
Spain started strongly in the second half. Constant pressure saw them earn a spate of corners early on in the second half.
In one of those corners, Sergio Gomez forced Brazil goalkeeper Brazao into an acrobatic save with a left-footed half-volley.
At the hour mark, Spain coach Santiago Denia brought on for- ward Jose Lara for midfielder Alvaro Garcia. In response, Denia’s Brazilian counterpart Carlos Amadeu threw in midfielder Rodrigo Guth for Victor Bobsin and defender Matheus Stockl for Lucas Halter.
In the middle of those substitutions, Spain forward Abel Ruiz burst through the right flank in a counter and had his effort from a narrow angle saved by Brazao. In the 72nd minute, Brazil had a goal disallowed for a foul after Alvaro managed to save from a corner.
As Spain continued to pile on the pressure, an organised Brazil narrowed down their formation, forcing the Spaniards into the wings.
In the 85th minute, Marcos Antonio found gaps in the right flank and broke away for Brazil.
His pass to Paulinho, however, was intercepted by Alvaro. Spain earned a couple of free kicks in the dying minutes, but there was to be no late drama as the Brazilians held on for the three points.