FIFA U-17 World Cup

Dutch the first to reach final four

The Netherlands outrun Paraguay 4-1 in Vitoria
Another goal and two assists for leading goalscorer Sontje Hansen
Mexico will be next for the Oranje

The Netherlands raced past Paraguay 4-1 at Victoria's Estadio Kleber Andrade on Sunday to become the first semi-finalists at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™. The European champions opened the scoring in the 30th minute through defender Ki-Jana Hoever, then doubled their advantage 10 minutes later when Brazil 2019 leading goalscorer Sontje Hansen chipped over the sliding Angel Gonzalez. Despite conceding in first-half stoppage time due to a defensive error, the Dutch kept their form through the second period. They netted twice in the final 15 minutes to set up a semi-final date with Mexico in Brasilia on 14 November.

Netherlands

The Oranje enjoyed three times more possession than their South American opponents in the opening 10 minutes of the match, a sign of what was to come. Captain Kenneth Taylor's cross-field pass to Hoever, who was isolated on the right wing with Fabio Barrios, set up the Liverpool player's cut-back and powerful finish inside the box for the first goal. Forward Jayden Braaf, who assisted Hansen's first-half tally, put the match on ice in the 78th minute by finishing off a vicious Dutch counter attack. Hansen picked out Naci Unuvar for a close-range goal eight minutes later, making the final score reflect the Netherlands' command of the match.

Paraguay

La Albirrojita found a few opportunities to cause trouble against the run of play in the first half. Down two goals with the half-time whistle approaching, it looked as if momentum might swing in their favour. Hansen blazed over the crossbar what could have been the Netherlands' third, then Diego Duarte took full advantage of Devyne Rensch's botched clearance to tap into an open net. But there was no furious comeback in the cards like the Paraguayan's Round of 16 redemption against Argentina. Tied their best-ever finish in the competition, the journey ends here for the South Americans.

Up next

Semi-finals
14 November

Netherlands-Mexico (Brasilia, 16:30 local time)

A view inside the dressing room of Paraguay

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: A view inside the dressing room of Paraguay before the quarter-final match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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A view inside the dressing room of Netherlands

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: A view inside the dressing room of Netherlands before the quarter-final match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Fabio Barrios of Paraguay (r) is seen in the players tunnel

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: Fabio Barrios of Paraguay (r) is seen in the players tunnel during the quarterfinal match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Sontje Hansen of Netherlands is seen in the players tunnel

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: Sontje Hansen of Netherlands is seen in the players tunnel during the quarterfinal match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Wilder Viera of Paraguay in action

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: Wilder Viera of Paraguay in action during the quarterfinal match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Junior Quinonez of Paraguay in action against Soulaiman Allouch of Netherlands

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: Junior Quinonez of Paraguay in action against Soulaiman Allouch of Netherlands during the quarterfinal match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Kenneth Taylor of the Netherlands runs with the ball

10 Nov 2019

GOIANIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 02: Kenneth Taylor of the Netherlands runs with the ball during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 Group D match between Haiti and France at Estadio da Serrinha on November 02, 2019 in Goiania, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Naci Unuvar of Netherlands celebrates

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: Naci Unuvar of Netherlands celebrates his goal during the quarterfinal match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Naci Unuvar of Netherlands celebrates

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: Naci Unuvar of Netherlands celebrates his goal during the quarterfinal match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Jayden Braaf of Netherlands celebrates

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: Jayden Braaf of Netherlands celebrates the third goal for his team with his teammates during the quarterfinal match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Rodrigo Lopez of Paraguay in action against Ki-Jana Hoever

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: Rodrigo Lopez of Paraguay in action against Ki-Jana Hoever of Netherlands during the quarterfinal match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Jayden Braaf of Netherlands celebrates

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: Jayden Braaf of Netherlands celebrates the third goal for his team with his teammates during the quarterfinal match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Players of Paraguay are disappointed

10 Nov 2019

VITORIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 10: Players of Paraguay are disappointed during the quarterfinal match between Netherlands and Paraguay in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil at EstÃ¡dio KlÃ©ber Andrade on November 10, 2019 in Vitoria, Brazil. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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