Author: Barkha Roy
The Brazilian U-17 national team secured their place at the next World Cup after a 2-2 draw with Ecuador on Monday, April 17.
Ecuador started the game with an attacking approach, which resulted in a fantastic save from Seleção goalkeeper Phillipe Gabriel in the sixth minute. Rayan tried to score for Brazil four minutes later, but his left-footed shot sailed over the crossbar. However, he kept trying and won a corner. Vitor Reis headed the ball into the middle of the box and Da Mata’s shot hit the post. Brazil’s continuous pressure cooled Ecuador’s progress on the pitch. Kaua Elias tried a shot in the 20th minute that narrowly missed the post.
Ecuador, however, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute thanks to Arroyo’s goal. They soon doubled their lead when Arroyo again found the back of the net in the 38th minute. Brazil, however, reduced the gap to one before the break.
Brazil equalized seven minutes into the second half. Kaua Elias headed in Lorran’s corner kick to level the score and score his fifth goal of the competition. From then on, the Seleção took control of the rest of the match and put the brakes on Ecuador’s momentum.
Venezuela’s victory over Chile helped Brazil secure their place in the competition with the only point they gained in the match. With seven points, Brazil are tied in first place with Ecuador and Argentina. The next opponent in the South American U-17 Championship is Chile, and the match will be on Thursday, April 20, at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, in the penultimate round of the final hexagonal.