Brazil U17s bring World Cup buzz to Natal (RN) | OneFootball

The city of Natal, in Rio Grande do Norte, fully embraced the World Cup spirit with the Under-17 friendly between Brazil and the United States last Sunday (7), which ended in a 4-0 win for the Seleção. Carlos Eduardo Patetuci’s team began its journey toward the tournament in style, with an impressive performance that featured goals from two debutants, two more experienced players, and a great celebration from the local fans in the stands at Arena das Dunas.

Patetuci warned the players before kickoff: even though the official start is only in November, in Qatar, the World Cup has already begun for the Under-17 national team. And the first chapter of that journey was written this Sunday, in Natal. On the field, the players showed they understood the message loud and clear.

The debutants got things started. In the first half, striker Rodrigo, the only player in the squad born in 2010, scored the opening goal of the match, showing confidence by taking a long-range shot.

Rodrigo (19) celebrated the goal with the “Six-Seven” Credits: Guilherme Drovas / Staff Images / CBF

“I just focused on the goal. And only those who shoot score, right?” said the No. 19.

Although his job is to stop the opposition from scoring, center-back Talles Beni, another debutant on the roster, also experienced the thrill of finding the net in his very first match for the Under-17 national team.

Beni celebrates his first goal for the national teamCredits: Guilherme Drovas / Staff Images / CBF

“I didn’t expect to score in my very first call-up, but thank God I was able to enjoy that moment. We played well as a team and came away with the win,” said Beni.

In the second half, the more experienced players stepped into the spotlight. Kauê Furquim once again showed the speed and aggression that made him one of the standouts of the South American Championship, causing havoc down the left side of the American defense. When he won a free kick just outside the box, he treated it like a penalty and scored a stunning goal.

Kauê Furquim credited the team’s success to the fans’ support and said Sunday night was unforgettableCredits: Guilherme Drovas / Staff Images / CBF

“I want to thank God and these amazing fans who supported us so much. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have done all this. Today is a day that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” he said.

Furquim also provided the assist for the goal that sealed the scoreline. Captain Eduardo Pape, the team’s top scorer at the South American Championship, appeared in the box to score Brazil’s fourth goal and look ahead to the next stage of preparation.

“Now we’re going to work to beat them again in Wednesday’s game,” added Pape.

The team’s performance pleased Branco, CBF’s coordinator of men’s youth national teams, who watched the match at Arena das Dunas and congratulated the players afterward for their display. Branco exchanged shirts with United States coach Alex Aldaz and watched the friendly alongside the president of the Rio Grande do Norte Football Federation (FNF), Felipe Barbosa, and CBF vice president José Vanildo da Silva.

Barbosa, who led the Brazilian delegation at last year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup, celebrated his reunion with the age group, which is now beginning its journey toward the next World Cup in Natal, once again bringing a World Cup atmosphere to the capital of Rio Grande do Norte.

Acting FRN president Felipe Barbosa and CBF vice president José Vanildo da Silva attended the Under-17 national team match at Arena das DunasCredits: Guilherme Drovas / Staff Images / CBF

“Natal is receiving this honor of hosting the Under-17 team. I led the delegation in Qatar at last year’s World Cup, so it is also personally a gift to welcome the national team that welcomed me so warmly. It is a moment of satisfaction and joy. Being able to host our players in such a beautiful venue as Arena das Dunas, so well maintained, is very special. Brazil is in a World Cup mood, and Natal is no different,” he said.

José Vanildo also celebrated the Seleção’s presence in the city and highlighted the work carried out by the CBF to strengthen the youth ranks and prepare the future of the Brazilian national team.

“This is encouraging and reflects the current CBF administration, this new model that values and creates incentives for the renewal and development of Brazilian football at the youth level. It gives our state the opportunity, at such an opportune World Cup moment, to see this real future again, which is the renewal of football,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.