The Brazilian national team lost on penalties on Thursday to Italy (4-2), in a match that ended 0-0 at the end of regulation time, after having only ten players from the 15th minute, in the bronze medal match of the U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Brazil started the match looking for Ruan Pablo on the left flank, who almost gave his side the lead with a shot from outside the box that went just wide of the post of Italian goalkeeper Alessandro Longoni in the 11th minute. However, the script changed completely just three minutes later when Vitão was sent off for a double yellow card, after he misjudged a tackle in midfield and left Brazil with ten men.
Italy presses, but Brazil’s goal is disallowed
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The numerical superiority encouraged a timid Italy and in the 33rd minute they had one of their best chances to score through Valerio Maccaroni.
The Azzurri’s siege continued until the end of the first half.
With five minutes to go before halftime, striker Antonio Arena collected a rebound in the six-yard box, but was tackled by Brazilian goalkeeper João Lucio, who again suffered from physical problems during the match.
Italy tried to threaten again at the start of the second half, but it was the Canarinha who had the clearest chance so far.
Dell, known in his country as the ‘Haaland do Sertão’ (Haaland of the desert), beat the defense and headed in Kayke’s corner kick.
As the ball was about to enter the goal, teammate Felipe Morais also headed the ball over the line, but in an advanced position, thus inadvertently disallowing the 1-0 goal for offside in the 62nd minute.
Brazil hands bronze to Italy
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Brazil held on heroically until the end, with few scares and always well protected by the reliable goalkeeping of João Lucio.
And it took, as usual in this U-17 World Cup, the match to a penalty shootout.
The South American team defeated Paraguay from 11 meters in the round of 16 and France in the quarterfinals, but could not do the same against Portugal in the semifinals.
With all the playoffs settled in the penalty shootout, this time Dudu Patetuci’s players fell in the shootout after mistakes by Luis Felipe and captain Luis Eduardo.
The bronze went to Italy, who will stand on the podium alongside the protagonists of Thursday’s U-17 World Cup final between Austria and Portugal.
With information from EFE
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