Claudio Echeverri’s outstanding individual display, resulting in a hat trick, propelled Argentina to a dominant victory over defending champions Brazil, securing their spot in the semi-finals of the FIFA U17 World Cup in Indonesia.
The emerging talent from River Plate, often hailed as the next Lionel Messi, is having a stellar tournament, living up to the pre-competition hype.
Echeverri initiated the scoring against traditional rivals Brazil, showcasing remarkable skill to navigate through a swarm of defenders before slotting home in the 28th minute.
Although the young Selacaos had opportunities to level the score before halftime, they couldn’t capitalize, leaving Argentina with the lead at the break.
Echeverri, once again serving as the catalyst for his team, extended the lead in the 60th minute with his standout moment of the night, confounding a Brazilian defender with his wizardry skills.
The Argentine star completed his hat-trick with 17 minutes remaining, outmaneuvering the Brazilian goalkeeper to secure a resounding victory for the young Albiceleste.
In pursuit of their first-ever U17 World Cup triumph, Argentina is set to face Germany in the upcoming semi-final.