Kolkata: Three-time champions Brazil rallied from a goal down as they struck twice in the space of six minutes in the second half to scrape past Germany 2-1 in a thrilling quarterfinal to enter the semifinals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup here, Sunday. Brazil, seeking their first title since 2003, will now meet England in the first semifinals in Guwahati, October 25.
Earlier, European champions Spain produced a quality exhibition of tiki-taka as they decimated Iran 3-1 to reach the semifinals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup here at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi.
Second half substitute Weverson and Paulinho scored in the 71st and 77th minutes respectively after Germany captain Jann-Fiete Arp had given his side the lead in the 21st minute by converting from the spot.
The full-to-the-brim Sal Lake Stadium was on the edge of a possible shock as Brazil were trailing 0-1 till the 70th minute before the match turned on its head.
Arp converted from the spot with a deft right-footer, sending Grabiel Brazao the wrong way to join France’s Amine Gouiri and Mali’s Lassana N’diaye as the leading scorers with five goals.
However, Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu’s masterstroke to bring Weverson after the changeover in place of Luan Candido and changing the formation to 4-3-3 paid rich dividends.
Weverson’s roaring left-footed shot brought on the equaliser. Then Paulinho sealed Brazil’s seventh semifinal berth and first time since 2005 six minutes later.
Earlier, Spain took the lead through Abel Ruiz in the 13th minute. Barcelona youth team striker Ruiz’s first shot hit a defender built from the rebound he made no mistake with his right footer finding the left side of the Iran net.
At the hour mark, Sergio Gomez took the game out of Iran’s reach with a spectacular strike from well outside the box. Ferran Torres then tapped in to make it 3-0 in the 67th minute before Iran finding the consolation goal through Saeid Karimi.
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