Mexico pushed Brazil to the brink in the final of Sunday's 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, but late goals from Kaio Jorge and Lázaro sent a raucous crowd of over 15,000 into raptures in Brasília. Inspirational captain Eugenio Pizzuto had provided the assist on Bryan Gonzalez’s opener for El Tri in the 66th minute, but Brazil’s ferocious comeback began in the 84th with Kaio’s VAR-assisted penalty and ended — just before the match was headed straight to a shootout — with Lázaro’s stunning winner with only one minute remaining in stoppage time.
Despite the vibrant, canary yellow crowd roaring its nation on in search of a first World Cup title at this level since 2003, Mexico withstood a first half barrage from the Seleção.
Gabriel Veron, a 17-year-old winger for Palmeiras, was at the center of most of it.
He showcased his flair when creating a chance by brutally nutmegging his marker before narrowly firing wide.
#U17TD ¡Apareció el Jogo Bonito!
Gabriel Veron hace túnel y dispara a primer poste, pero el balón pega en un costado de la redMéxico 0-0 Brasil pic.twitter.com/eoZoXe2PHu
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 17, 2019
However, Veron was guilty of missing Brazil’s best chance of the opening 45.
#U17TD ¡Se salvó México!
Gabriel Verón tuvo el primero pero perdonó y seguimos 0-0México 0-0 Brasil pic.twitter.com/iWEiTprAij
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 17, 2019
For Mexico, Texas native Santiago Muñoz carved out his nation’s best chance with some impressive footwork before Pizzuto’s final effort was deflected over.
#U17TD ¡ México también juega bonito!@santi_mr10 se quita a cuatro jugadores brasileños y consigue tiro de esquina para México
México 0-0 Brasil pic.twitter.com/eWR4KWFEvu— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 17, 2019
It finished scoreless at halftime in the Bezerrão with Brazil putting four shots on frame as compared to zero for Mexico. But Mexico stood tall to start the second half — exemplified by this crunching tackle from Rafa Martínez on Veron in the 60th minute.
#U17TD ¡Espectacular barrida de Rafa Martínez para frenar la contra brasileña!
México 0-0 Brasil pic.twitter.com/mEHUNInwKJ— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 17, 2019
Six minutes after that, Bryan Gonzalez stunned the stadium with a downward header following a cross from Pizzuto.
#U17TD
¡ ¡VA GANANDO MÉXICO !
¡VA GANANDO MÉXICO !Bryan González marca su primer gol del torneo y en qué momento se estrena como goleador
México 1-0 Brasil pic.twitter.com/7L2YvQwvGo— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 17, 2019
With the clock drifting towards the final minutes of the 90, Mexico looked to have accomplished the improbable — a repeat of the nation’s glorious 2005 U-17 World Cup Final victory over Brazil, that one inspired by Carlos Vela and Giovani dos Santos.
But then tragedy.
In the 84th minute, the VAR room instructed the referee to look at a challenge in the box that he'd missed. Jesús Gómez had gone through the legs of Veron after he’d already released the ball in the area, although the chance ultimately came to nothing.
The referee looked at the monitor and pointed to the spot.
#U17TD ¿Penal? El VAR marca un penal a favor de @CBF_Futebol pic.twitter.com/3aB5L0f4Vx
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 17, 2019
The resulting penalty was converted by Kaio.
#U17TD ¿Regalo a Brasil?
Kaio Jorge convierte el polémico penal para empatar el marcador y los jugadores de @miseleccionmx se van con todo vs el árbitroMéxico 1-1 Brasil pic.twitter.com/omw0u0KJ2w— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 17, 2019
Mexico was shattered. The Bezerrão wanted a winner. The rules of the tournament dictated that the match would go straight to penalties directly following the end of regular time, but the dreaded shootout was avoided when Lázaro calmly side-footed home a volley from Yan Couto’s cross.
#U17TD ¡Lazaro ed volea le da la vuelta al marcador y sentencia el encuentro!
México 1-2 Brasil pic.twitter.com/7UXxX2ocHG— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 17, 2019
Brazil’s Veron won the Golden Ball while scoring three goals, Mexico’s Pizzuto earned the Bronze Ball and Brazil goalkeeper Matheus Donelli earned the Golden Glove.
The victory is Brazil’s fourth at this age level. Only Nigeria — with five — has more.