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FIFA U-17 FINAL: England came from 2-0 down to beat Spain 5-2 to lift trophy


FIFA U-17 FINAL: England came from 2-0 down to beat Spain 5-2 to lift trophy


England made a remarkable comeback from two goals down to outclass three-time runners up Spain 5-2 and clinch their maiden FIFA U-17 World Cup at a packed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday.

Spain took the early advantage in the final, thanks to a first-half brace by Sergio Gomes (10th, 31st minutes). But his effort was wiped out as England scored five goals through Rhian Brewster (44th), Morgan Gibbs White (58th), Phil Foden (69th, 88th) and Marc Guehi (84th).

England came into the final against Spain in the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a chance at getting revenge. When these two sides met in the Euro final, Spain bagged an equaliser with the final kick of the ball and forced penalties, which they went on to win. The same script for Spain dominance looked to continue for the most part of the game in Kolkata.

Two goals by Spain had them cruising before a goal at the stroke of half time and four more in the second half opened the floodgates. It led to England winning their first FIFA U-17 World Cup and added to their World Cup winning glory achieved by the U-20 side earlier in the year.
England have been the dominant force in age-group football in 2017, asserting themselves in a way their senior counterparts can only dream of, and in Manchester City playmaker Foden and Liverpool forward Brewster they have two of the nation's most prized talents.

Brewster's header gave England hope at 2-1 down, Morgan Gibbs-White grabbed the equaliser and from there it was one-way traffic, Foden producing a pair of smart finishes and Marc Guehi on target from close range.

Though they did not appear on the scoresheet at Kolkata's sold-out Salt Lake Stadium, huge credit must also go to the irrepressible Chelsea prospect Callum Hudson-Odoi and Steven Sessegnon, whose crossing was essential to the comeback.

The game began at a breathless pace, Brewster and Gibbs-White combining for the first chance after just 47 seconds and Spain went ahead inside 10 minutes after Sergio Gomez touched touched home form close range.

England immediately appealed for offside but Sessegnon was playing the striker on in the full-back position.

Spain were desperately close to making it 2-0 after Jonathan Panzo's forward foray left his side exposed on the counter. Moha raced into space but, having established an almost unmissable position, took a heavy touch that Curtis Anderson pounced on.

There was no let off for England next time, Ruiz twisting and turning to feed Cesar, who duly picked out Gomez.

The forward wrapped his left boot around the ball and hooked a wonderful effort into the far corner.

It looked bleak for the Young Lions but, once Hudson-Odoi struck the post with a wonderful solo effort, they hit back just before the break.

Brewster was the inevitable scorer, with an authoritative downward header, but Sessegnon was equally responsible having provided an irresistible cross.

England's gutsy chase for an equaliser bore fruit in the 58th minute, Foden's disguised pass locating Sessegnon's overlap.

His cross was perfect again, as was Gibbs-White's timing as he arrived to clip home from six yards.

The momentum was with England - and preserved less than a minute as Anderson made an instinctive one-handed save from Juan Miranda's header.

England took the lead for the first time in the 69 minute, Hudson-Odoi sliding the ball into Foden's path at the far post, where he never looked likely to miss.

They might have settled for survival now, particularly after Sessegnon blocked Miranda's header on the line, but instead went for the killer blow.

With five minutes left they though they had landed it, Guehi poking over the line after Panzo kept the ball alive, but there was a fifth still to come.

It was fitting that it fell for Foden, Golden Ball winner as player of the tournament, and he accepted it with aplomb, taking a deft touch before rifling past Alvaro with power and precision.a

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