April 2 – A ten-men Brazil were eliminated from the U17 South American championship in Peru after a crushing 3-0 defeat by Argentina, but the Brazilians will still qualify for the U17 World Cup in October as hosts.
Brazil could afford to have lost by two goals and still qualify for the ‘hexagonal’, the final six of the tournament, bit in the end succumbed to Argentinean pressure in the second half in a nervous and disjointed display.
Matias Godoy opened the scoring for Argentina before Diego Rosa was sent off for Brazil at the start of the second half. Matias Palacios doubled Argentina’s lead, the signal for the team to press Brazil high up the field in search of a third goal. In injury time Bruno Amione got a decisive third to put Argentina through and Brazil out.
The premature exit marks Brazil’s worst continental campaign at U17 level. They have won the tournament 12 times in the past and never failed to reach the final six. Their worst finish came in 1993 when they finished fourth. This year’s ‘hex’ will include Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile and Peru.
Brazil will however still qualify for the global finals in October as hosts of the tournament. FIFA removed the hosting rights from Peru for lack of preparation, moving the tournament to Brazil as the new hosts. At the last 2017 U17 World Cup in India, Brazil reached the last four before falling to eventual champions England 3-1 in Kolkata.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734888577labto1734888577ofdlt1734888577rowed1734888577isni@1734888577ofni1734888577