GOA: A hat-trick from Rhian Brewster led England to the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 after a 4-1 victory over USA in Goa on Saturday. It is the first time that the Three Lions have reached this stage of the competition.

It was England who looked strong early before USA finished the better side by half-time. After England created a pair of early chances, Brewster scored a pair of first-half goals with the assistance of Philip Foden.

He broke the deadlock on 11 minutes after USA goalkeeper Justin Garces blocked Foden’s cross into his path. The Liverpool forward duly volleyed the ball into the roof of the American net. Three minutes later, Foden fed a streaking Brewster, who neatly chipped his finish over the onrushing Garces for a two-goal England lead.

Those goals prompted a response from the Stars and Stripes, as Ayo Akinola, Taylor Booth, Blaine Ferri, and Tim Weah all had chances. Josh Sargent went closest to scoring when he hit the crossbar from an Andrew Carleton corner.

England reclaimed control of the contest in the second half and scored a third goal through Morgan Gibbs White, as he knocked home Brewster low cross. Though Sargent pulled a goal back for USA, Brewster completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in stoppage time after substitute Sergino Dest was sent off for fouling him in the USA box. With the result, England meet either Brazil or Germany in a last-four meeting in Guwahati on Wednesday.

Courtesy - http://www.fifa.com/