A Seleção win the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™
Fourth title for Brazilians, second-most successful nation in competition’s history
Gabriel Veron wins the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player
Parties do not come much more exciting than the one Brazil enjoyed on Sunday evening. The hosts won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™ thanks to a goal three minutes into stoppage time to send a capacity crowd at the Estadio Bezerrao into raptures. To add to the title claimed by a side that won all seven of their matches, the Brazilians also celebrated an adidas Golden Ball for star man Gabriel Veron and an adidas Golden Glove for goalkeeper Matheus Donelli.
A Seleção moved to within one of Nigeria’s tournament record of five trophy wins thanks in small part to their ability to keep fighting to the end. Trailing 2-0 at half-time to France in the semi-finals, they came back to win it in the 89th minute, and they did it again in the final against Mexico, overturning a 1-0 deficit in the final six minutes. Supersub Lazaro was their hero of the hour, popping up to score dramatic late winners on both occasions.
Mexico proved tough opponents in Sunday’s showpiece match, so much so that they came within minutes of glory. After scraping through the group phase as one of the best third-placed teams, the Mexicans drew inspiration from their captain Eugenio Pizzuto, the gifted Efrain Alvarez and goalkeeper Eduardo Garcia to storm into the final, where they finished tournament runners-up for the second time in their history.
France, led by the brilliant Adil Aouchiche, who went from leading UEFA Under-17 European Championship goalscorer to leading Brazil 2019 provider with seven assists in total, achieved their second-best finish with third place. Only Brazil got the better of the boys in blue, defeating them in the semis. Nathanael Mbuku and Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga both ended the tournament with five goals each. The latter, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, struck a hat-trick against the Netherlands in the match for third place.
Did you know?
Brazil’s last appearance in the final came in 2005, when Mexico also provided the opposition. El Tri were too good for A Seleção that day and won 3-0.
Brazil are the second host nation to lift the trophy, after Mexico in 2011.
Senegal and Angola have every reason to be pleased with their tournament debuts, with both reaching the last 16 after finishing second in their groups. The Senegalese even had the satisfaction of beating eventual semi-finalists the Netherlands on the way.
Korea Republic’s Paik Sanghoon scored after just 52 seconds in his side’s match against Chile, the fastest goal at Brazil 2019 and the fifth-fastest in the history of the competition.
Brazil 2019 was the first FIFA men’s competition in history to have an all-female team of match officials. The Uruguayans Claudia Umpierrez and Luciana Mascarana and Monica Amboyo of Ecuador took charge of three matches in all.
All the Visual Stories HERE.
✨ The stars of tomorrow
The FIFA U-17 World Cup has long since established itself as a high-quality showcase for young players, with many stars of world football having introduced themselves at the tournament. Several of the top performers at Brazil 2019, who could well become the leading lights of tomorrow, told their stories to FIFA.com:
The Brazilian Veron who nearly became a cowboy
Edu Garcia, Mexico’s roaring dragon
Aouchiche revelling in the numbers game
Taylor: The beating heart of the Oranje
Paraguay’s Duarte living up to his names
Pablo Moreno: Spain’s do-it-all No9
‘Willy’ Gnonto: Italy’s sharp-shooting 15-year-old
Two-goal hero Wakatsuki not finished yet
All the interviews HERE
Final standings
1. Brazil [[flag-bra-xs]]
2. Mexico [[flag-mex-xs]]
3. France [[flag-fra-xs]]
4. Netherlands [[flag-ned-xs]]
⚽ Leading goalscorers
1. Sontje Hansen [[flag-ned-xs]]: 6 goals, 3 assists
2. Nathanael Mbuku [[flag-fra-xs]]: 5 goals, 1 assist, 487 minutes played
3. Kaio Jorge [[flag-bra-xs]]: 5 goals, 1 assist, 553 minutes
Complete goals scored HERE
Number of goals
177 goals, 3.40 per match
Vote for your goal of the tournament HERE
Awards
adidas Golden Ball: Gabriel Veron [[flag-bra-xs]] adidas Silver Ball: Adil Aouchiche [[flag-fra-xs]] adidas Bronze Ball: Eugenio Pizzuto [[flag-mex-xs]] adidas Golden Boot: Sontje Hansen [[flag-ned-xs]] adidas Golden Glove: Matheus Donelli [[flag-bra-xs]] FIFA Fair Play Award: Ecuador [[flag-ecu-xs]]
All the awards HERE
Host cities and stadiums
🏟️ Estadio Bezerrao (Brasilia/Gama) 🏟️ Estadio da Serrinha (Goiania) 🏟️ Estadio Olimpico (Goiania) 🏟️ Estadio Klever Andrade (Vitoria/Cariacica)
All the stadiums and host cities HERE
