FIFA U17 WC: Brazil Defeat Mexico In Dramatic Final To Claim Fourth Title

Hosts Brazil scored two late goals as they staged a dramatic comeback in the final of the U17 FIFA World Cup to defeat Mexico 2-1 and lift their fourth trophy at this level.

Kaio Jorge showed remarkable composure to score from the spot in the 84th minute and Lazaro completed the comeback three minutes into added time to send home fans into a delirious frenzy.

Bryan Gonzalez gave the Mexicans the lead on 66 minutes after a goalless first half.

Stung by going behind and buoyed by the partisan crowd, the hosts went in search of an equaliser and launched wave after wave of attack.

Mexico held firm in the face of unbearable pressure but eventually cracked with four minutes left of regulation time as they conceded a penalty which was calmly dispatched by Kaio Jorge following a VAR review.

With the wind up their sails and Mexico reeling from conceding so close to the end, Brazil went for the kill and found the jugular through Lazaro whose goal in the third minute of added time shattered Mexico’s dream but elicited an outpouring of relief and celebrations in the stands and across the country.

The South Americans are now the second most successful side in FIFA U17 history with four titles, just one behind record winners Nigeria.

Earlier, Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga scored a hat-trick for France as they came from behind to beat the Netherlands 3-1 in the third-place match.

Though they conceded the opening goal 15 minutes in, Les Bleuets rallied to down the Dutch on the back of their No7, who scored once in the first half and twice in the second. It is the second medal the French have earned at the U-17 world finals having been crowned world champions in 2001.