Brazil’s U17 Team Defeats Ecuador, Advances to World Cup

CARTAGENA, Colombia — Brazil’s U17 soccer team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Ecuador on Saturday, advancing to the semifinals of the South American U17 Championship and guaranteeing their spot in the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

The match, held at the Estadio Olímpico Jaime Morón León, saw Brazil initially fall behind after an own goal by defender Luis Eduardo at the end of the first half and a second goal by Ecuador’s Justin Lerma early in the second half.

However, Brazil responded with determination. Luis Eduardo redeemed himself by scoring a header just three minutes after Ecuador’s second goal, bringing Brazil back into contention. Midfielder Gustavo Gomes followed shortly, netting an equalizer with a left-footed shot from outside the box.

With the match nearing its conclusion, Luis Gustavo sealed Brazil’s comeback in dramatic fashion, scoring in the 44th minute to clinch the win. “It was a tough game, but we never gave up. We fought back strongly to secure our place in the World Cup,” Luis Gustavo stated after the victory.

This win positioned Brazil at the top of Group B with 10 points, following a series of performances that showcased resilience and skill. The result also ensures Brazil’s participation in the U17 World Cup scheduled to take place from November 5-27, 2025, in Qatar.

The Brazilian squad is set to face the second-placed team from Group A in the semifinals, with details to be determined after Saturday night’s matchups in that group.

Earlier in the tournament, Brazil had won against Venezuela 1-0, with a late goal from Luis Eduardo, which set the stage for their crucial matchup against Ecuador. “We knew every game was important, and each victory has brought us closer to our goal,” said Brazilian coach Dudu Patetuci.

This year’s South American U17 Championship continues to elevate Brazil’s reputation in youth football, as they compete for supremacy in the continent and beyond. The organization will ultimately select seven representatives from South America for the World Cup.