ENGLAND'S KIDS UP FOR FINAL FLING
from JAMES DOBSON RHIAN BREWSTER scored his second hat-trick in two games as England beat Brazil 3-1 in India to reach Saturday’s Under-17s World Cup final.
The 17-year-old, who also scored three in Saturday’s 4-1 quarter-final triumph against the USA, got the opener after 10 minutes.
Although Wesley levelled for Brazil 11 minutes later, Brewster struck again in the 39th and 77th minutes to put Steve Cooper’s side within touching distance of matching the Under-20s, who won their World Cup in June.
England’s Young Lions had to suffer 29C of heat and stifling humidity as well as sustained pressure from a Brazil side roared on by the vast majority of the near 84,000-crowd at Kolkata’s Salt Lake City Stadium.
They will return to the same venue on Saturday to take on Spain, who beat Mali 3-1 in yesterday’s second semi-final – and who beat England on penalties in May in the Euro 2017 tournament final.
Brewster, who joined Liverpool from Chelsea when he was 15, scored his first when he met an inchperfect delivery from Chelsea’s Callum HudsonOdoi and finished at the second attempt.
After Wesley had levelled, striker Brenner rolled wide a great chance to put Brazil ahead 15 minutes before the break.
Brewster grabbed a real poacher’s goal, stabbing home from inside the sixyard box to put England 2-1 in front.
He completed his hat-trick after superb work from Manchester City’s highlyimpressive Phil Foden, who was the heartbeat of England’s display.
Overjoyed Brewster said: “This is a big dream come true for me. You never think you’ll get hat-tricks in two games and so for it to come in the quarter-final and the semi-final is an amazing feeling.”
Boss Cooper said: “It needs a special mention. He deserves it.
“It’s not just about Rhian’s goals, it’s about the effort he puts in for the team.
“None of us are after individual glory. It’s all about playing for your country and doing it together.
“I really believe in our players and I think whoever we play against we can be better than them, but we have to work hard for that.
“There isn’t a bigger game they can play in their career at their age than a World Cup knockout game.
“And they are going to go and play the ultimate game – the final.”