Brazil mount comeback to win U-17 World Cup 2-1 over Mexico
Lazaro nets the match-winner in second-half stoppage time
Fourth U-17 championship for A Seleção
Brazil came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Mexico on Sunday night and win the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2019™ at Brasilia's Estadio Bezerrao. Falling behind midway through the second half, the hosts stormed back to capture their fourth U-17 title. Substitute Lazaro's volleyed strike three minutes into second-half stoppage time propelled his side to victory while bringing jubilation to the 13,000-plus fans on hand.
Brazil [[flag-bra-xs]]
A Seleção created plenty of quality goalscoring opportunities, but their finishing let them down as the back of the net eluded them for much of the evening. Veron and Kaio Jorge each saw first-half shots narrowly miss the target, while Peglow pinged the crossbar from outside the box in the 17th minute. To the dismay of many in attendance, Mexico took the lead in the 66th minute. Then Daniel Cabral imitated Peglow in the 81st minute, watching his shot attempt rebound off the top of the bar. At last Veron won a penalty when Alejandro Gomez slid into him in the box, and Kaio Jorge coolly drew Brazil even in the 84th minute from the spot. Then, reprising his role from the semi-final, Lazaro unleashed a full volley from Yan Couto's cross the beat Mexico goalkeeper Edu Garcia with mere seconds remaining.
Mexico [[flag-mex-xs]]
The Concacaf champions did well to absorb waves of pressure in the opening period, holding Brazil scoreless despite a handful of promising chances. As time wore on they began to take control of the ball and threaten themselves, with Israel Luna and Santiago Munoz the chief creators. But it was captain Eugenio Pizzuto and No11 Bryan Gonzalez who linked up to put El Tri ahead near the halfway point of the second half. Gonzalez leapt to meet Pizzuto's cross and headed the ball toward the far post, beating the diving Matheus Donelli to open the scoring. But Gomez conceding a penalty left Mexico vulnerable to the Brazilian attacking onslaught. Holding out a few more seconds would have seen the final go to penalties, but instead Mexico missed out on earning a third U-17 trophy.