England too good for US

Rhian Brewster scored a hat-trick as a superlative England thrashed USA 4-1 to enter their maiden FIFA U-17 World Cup semifinal on Saturday.

Brewster scored in the 11th, 14th and 90+6th minutes from a penalty while Morgan Gibbs White scored in 64th minute to hand England the convincing win.

A wasting a handful of chances, USA managed to score a consolation goal in the 72nd minute through Joshua Sargent.

England will face the winner of Sunday’s another quarterfinal blockbuster between Brazil and Germany in the last-four round in Guwahati on October 25.

It didn’t take long for England to take the lead through Brewster in the 11th minute. The Liverpool academy boy’s right-footed shot from the centre of the box found the top right corner of the American goal to give the young Lions the lead.

Three minutes later Brewster scored his second goal of the day with a brilliant scoop from the right side past an onrushing American goalkeeper to make the scoreline 2-0 in favour of England.

A minute later Brewster was denied a possible hat-trick by American goalkeeper Justin Garces when he saved the English striker’s left-footed shot from the left side of the box.

Down by two goals, the Americans went on the offensive and had a few clear chances but Andrew Carleton, Timothy Weah and Taylor Booth missed the targets.

The Americans had plenty of scoring chances thereafter through Akinola, Sergent and Booth but they either shot wide or lacked finishing abilities as England went in half time with a comfortable 2-0 lead. The match continued to be an attacking display of football as both England and USA created numerous scoring chances.

An attacking England took the game away from USA in the 64th minute when Morgan Gibbs-White scored with a right-footer to the bottom right corner of the American goal after being assisted by Brewster.

Sargent reduced the margin for the Americans in the 72nd minute with a right-footed shot from close range to the bottom left corner of the English goal.

But Brewster added salt to USA’s wound when he converted from a spot kick in the additional time to register his hat- trick and a convincing victory for the Young Lions.