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FIFA U-17 World Cup: Phil Foden magic leads England to glory against Spain

The Young Lions came back from behind to clinch the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy.

Kolkata: England thrashed Spain 5-2 in the finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup to be crowned as champions. The Young Lions turned down a 2-1 goal deficit at the half-time break as they sealed an incredible comeback.

Sergio Gomez's double gave in the FIFA U-17 World Cup final gave Spain the advantage as they headed into the half-time break. Despite England being presented with the best chances, Gomez's two strikes uplifted La Roja. The Young Lions soon responded through their talisman Rhian Brewster who claimed his 8th goal of the tournament.

England responded with four goals in the second half through Gibbs-White, Marc Guehi and a brace from Phil Foden as they constantly put the opposition on the back foot.

88' ALL OVER FOR SPAIN! Phil Foden gets his second of the night and puts the game to bed with a 5th goal for the Young Lions. Hudson-Odoi delivers a long ball to the Man City midfielder who controls it well and fires it into the back of the net.

83' GOOOOOALLLL! Is it all over for Spain? Guehi scores his first ever goal from a close tap-in. Hudson Odoi is fouled outside the box on the left and Latibeaudiere win the cross, eventually finding Guehi.

81' SUBSTITUTION! Carlos Beilia replaces Antonio Blanco for Spain, Nya Kirby replaces Gibbs-White for England.

65' GOOOOOALLLLLL! It's the man of the moment, Phil Foden. England break on the counter and Hudson-Odoi gets past his marker on the left flank. He finds Foden who slots it past the keeper. The Manchester City star shows his name on the back to the crowd.

63' YELLOW! Miranda is the first man in the referee's book after a tussle with Sessegnon.

56' GOOOOAAAALLLL! Foden delivers a lovely through ball past the Spain backline which finds Sessegnon on the right. The wing-back delivers squares a pass to Gibbs-White who is completely unmarked and scores the equaliser.

50' Phil Foden is at the centre of everything the Young Lions are producing. They haven't possessed the same threat as they did in the first half.

45+2' CLOSE! Foden is brought down just outside the penalty box. Brewster is at it again and he curls it across the wall, beats the keeper, but the ball can only find the post again.

44' GOOOOOOAAAALLL! Brewster gets his 8th goal of the tournament. Sessegnon beats two defenders on the right and whips in a delicious cross. It finds Brewster who heads it comfortably. His 7th goal in 3 games.

43' CLOSE! Hudson-Odoi is presented with the best chance of the night. The wing back gets forward and cuts in, but his fierce shot can only find the woodwork.

29' GOOOOOAALLLLLL! Gomez gets his second of the night after he fires one past the keeper. A wayward cross drops to the edge of the box and finds the forward who has no trouble in finding the net. He's already waving kisses to the camera.

22' CHANCE! Sessegnon gets a delicious cross from the left, beat his defender, cuts in, but fires wide of the post. England need to be clinical if they need to level.

17' England are looking a real threat going forward, especially on the left channel. Hudson-Odoi's crosses have failed to find anyone forward.

10' GOAAAAALLLLL! Spain open the account and there's a bit of controversy. Miranda crosses from the left, but Gelabert manages to squeeze it in between two white shirts and puts in the path of Gomez who has no trouble finding the net.

Some banter between Leicester City boys Harry Maguire and Vincente Iborra

5' The Young Lions are keeping possesion and attempting to raid the opposition defence with through balls.

1' SAVE! Fine save from Alvaro as England have their first real chance. Gibbs-White and Brewster link-up well on the right and the former forces a save from the keeper.

Preview:

England will look to extract revenge of the U-17 Euro final loss as the meet old foes Spain in the finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Calcutta on Saturday.

Steve Cooper’s men are just one step away from glory and will look to replicate the England u-20 team, who won their version of the tournament earlier. Not only that, the U-19 squad were also crowned European champions.

The Young Lions come into the finals, having beaten three-time winners Brazil in the semis, thanks to a hat-trick from Rhian Brewster.

Spain, on the other hand, faced a shock defeat to Brazil in the group stages, but have faced no problems ever since that defeat. The La Roja, who have twice been runners-up in 2003 and 2007 beat African champions Mali to progress to the finals.

Who will take the winners prize in the end?

Line-ups:

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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