Brazil Under-17s thrash the United States as World Cup prep begins

Brazil’s U-17 National Team began its road to the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a rout over the United States. With two goals from debutants in the first half and two more from more experienced players in the second, the Seleção won 4-0, delighting the large crowd at Arena das Dunas in Natal.

Next Wednesday (10), the teams will play their second friendly at 10 p.m.

Brazil’s first objective in the match was to control the tempo and then impose its playing style, which is still being absorbed by the renewed squad called up by coach Carlos Eduardo Patetuci.

Debutant Rodrigo showed confidence and opened the scoring with a shot from outside the boxCredits: Guilherme Drovas / Staff Images / CBF

With possession and control of the game, Brazil began to stretch the field, relying on the speed of its full-backs and wingers. The first good chance came when Richard burst down the left and crossed for Rodrigo, whose shot went just wide of goalkeeper Szewczyk’s post. But the Brazilian forward and the American goalkeeper would soon meet again.

Brazil kept pressing high and winning the ball back in the attacking half. Riquelme had a good chance, but the referee flagged for offside. Vinicius played Richard through at speed, and he crossed once again, only to see the American defense get there first.

Kauê Furquim (left) celebrates his stunning goal with Samuel and Willian BispoCredits: Guilherme Drovas / Staff Images / CBF

But when Rodrigo received the ball in midfield, pushed forward and decided to shoot from distance, even with Kauê Furquim and Riquelme available as options, the American goalkeeper failed to deal with it and Brazil opened the scoring.

And it was a night for the debutants: from a Vinícius corner, American captain Chadwick tried to clear it, but his deflection left the ball at the feet of Thalles Beni, who controlled it and struck firmly to make it two.

In the second half, Brazil came back unchanged, while the United States decided to switch goalkeepers. But five minutes in, Lira felt something and Patetuci began making changes, bringing on Isaac Leocádio. Soon after, Kelvyn, Victor Hugo and Guilherme Justen came on to freshen up Brazil’s midfield and attack.

Captain Eduardo Pape, the team’s top scorer at the South American Championship, completed the scoring in the friendlyCredits: Guilherme Drovas / Staff Images / CBF

But the substitutions did not change the way Brazil played: on the right wing, Kauê kept causing problems. On one play, after a beautiful dribble past his marker, the Brazilian was fouled right on the edge of the box. From the free kick, he chose to shoot directly and scored a stunning goal.

There was still time for the captain to get on the scoresheet: in the final minute, Eduardo Pape dove to head in Furquim’s corner and scored Brazil’s fourth. The road to the World Cup began on the right foot.

Match Sheet:

BRAZIL: Gustavo Milani; Marquinhos (Samuel), Talles Beni, Guilherme Lira (Isaac Leocádio, then Murilo Camargo), Richard; Andrey (Victor Hugo), Eduardo Pape, Vinícius (Justen); Riquelme (Kelvyn), Kauê Furquim, Rodrigo (William Bispo).

Coach: Carlos Eduardo Patetuci.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.