Brazil beat luckless Mali to finish third

[admin]

Brazil claimed third place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 with a 2-0 victory over Mali at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.

A goalless first half saw the African champions show more urgency and intent to break the deadlock with efforts from Boubacar Haidara, captain Mohamed Camara, and Salam Jiddou. However, a lack of finish and good goalkeeping by Brazil’s Gabriel Brazao kept the Eaglets off the scoresheet.

It was early in the second half that Brazil won the third place play-off in very fortunate circumstances. Alan made a run towards the Mali goal before striking a rolling shot at the target. It looked a routine save for Eaglets goalkeeper Youssouf Koita, but he allowed the bouncing ball to slip past him and into the net.

Though the West Africans tried their best to find an equaliser, Brazil sealed victory with a late goal from substitute Yuri Alberto. It is the second time that the South Americans have finished third at a U-17 World Cup.