Group Stages
July 29 – Brazil 1-1 Egypt
The Seleção made a good start to their campaign, taking the lead against Egypt through Danilo. However, the lead only lasted 15 minutes before Omar Gaber levelled things up, and Brazil were outplayed for much of the game. Franco said afterwards that his players would have to improve.
August 1 – Brazil 3-0 Austria
The players responded to Franco’s words with a much-improved display to defeat Austria. Henrique, Philippe Coutinho and Willian scored the goals to send Brazil top of the group and put them on the brink of progression to the second round.
August 4 – Brazil 4-0 Panama
Brazil rounded off the first round in style by hammering Panama thanks to goals from Henrique, Coutinho (2) and Dudu. It ensured that they finished top of Group E, ahead of Egypt on goal difference, and set up a last-16 clash with Saudi Arabia.
Round of 16
August 10 – Brazil 3-0 Saudi Arabia
The goals continued to flow and it was another comfortable win for Franco and his players. After a goalless first half, Henrique, Gabriel Silva and Dudu struck to send Brazil into the last eight.
Quarter-Finals
August 14 – Brazil 2-2 Spain (A.E.T. Brazil won 4-2 on penalties)
The Seleção youngsters faced their toughest task so far when they played Spain in the quarter-finals. Willian put them in front, but Spain equalised through Rodrigo. In extra-time, Brazil re-took the lead via Dudu, before the Spaniards again levelled things up thanks to Alvaro Vazquez. In the shoot-out, Casemiro, Danilo, Henrique and Dudu all converted their efforts, while Gabriel saved two Spanish attempts to ensure victory.
Semi-Finals
August 17 – Brazil 2-0 Mexico
It looked like extra-time would be required again, with the score still 0-0 as the clock ticked on to 80 minutes. But Henrique stepped up to the plate, scoring twice in the final ten minutes to send Brazil into the final.
Final
August 20 – Brazil v Portugal
Brazil take on Portugal in the final of the 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Cup tonight in Bogota, Colombia at 20:00 local time (02:00 tomorrow morning UK time). Check back at Sambafoot tomorrow for a full report, and to see if Brazil were able to win the cup!
