England made a commanding start to its FIFA Under-17 World Cup campaign as the young Three Lions mauled Chile 4-0 in the opening Group F match here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday.
Watched by a holiday turnout of over 46,000 in the country’s biggest football amphitheatre, England dealt out an outstanding team game to completely outplay the South American runner-up, which had to play the last 11 minutes with 10 men.
Keeping its new ‘poster boy’ Jadon Sancho at the head of its offensive organisation, England displayed the strength of the youth development engineered by the Premier League clubs in mustering an impressive start to the tournament.
Sancho, who made a move to the German giant Borussia Dortmund from Manchester City FC, scored twice and set one up to emerge as the star of the match. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Angel Gomes, picked up respectively from Manchester City and Manchester United, found the target once each to complete England’s dominance.
England was all over Chile in the opening session averaging ball-possession of over 70 percent. The English colts dictated terms right from the start which was brought about by a fine combination in the attack between Sancho, Rhian Brewester and Phil Foden, who showed great understanding in the striking zone.
England nosed ahead in the fifth minute when Sancho, operating in the left wing, set up an overlapping Hudson-Odoi , who finished with an angular attempt. Impressing with nice passing game, England could have easily enhanced its lead in the first half but for the Liverpool FC striker Rhian Brewster, who fired his attempts wide in two scoring opportunities.
The youngsters became even more ferocious after the break as Sancho doubled the lead in the 51st minute. The midfielder clearly added to the sprightliness of the English attack with his fine sense of timing and adeptness on the ball.
Nine minutes later, Sancho showed his goal-poaching skills once again as he beat the Chilean goalkeeper Julio Borquez with a clinical finishing (3-0).
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With his team down by three goals, Borquez acted out of frustration as Brewster made a dash for the Chilean goal threatening to score the fourth goal. Borquez ended up axing down the English striker and received marching orders for his conduct in the 79th minute.
Gomes, who came in as a substitute in the 67th minute, found the net from the resultant free-kick, thereby enhancing the agony of the Latin American side.
Results: Group F: England 4 (Callum Hudson-Odoi 5, Jadon Sancho 51, 60, Angel Gomes 81) bt Chile 0.
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