Brazil bests Portugal to win its fifth U-20 World Cup

Brazil’s Under-20 football team celebrates with their trophy at the podium after beating Portugal during their FIFA U-20 World Cup final in Bogota, Colombia, on Saturday. Oscar scored a hat trick to help Brazil clinch a 3-2 win. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

BOGOTA, Colombia - Oscar scored a hat trick to lead Brazil to a 3-2 win over Portugal in extra time on Saturday to win the Under-20 World Cup.

Oscar got the winner in the 111th minute, lobbing a shot from the right that was tipped by Portugal keeper Mika onto the underside of the crossbar before going in. He also scored in the fifth minute and again in the 78th.

Alex leveled in the ninth minute for Portugal and Nelson Oliveira’s 59th-minute goal put the Europeans ahead. Brazil fought back to take its fifth U-20 title, having been the runner-up two years ago. Portugal was seeking its third title.

Brazil was the clear favorite for the match between former colony and colonizer, but it was an even contest from start to finish, with only the brilliance of Oscar making the difference.

“This really makes us happy, because now we have matched the record of the senior team,’’ Brazil coach Ney Franco said, referring to the five World Cups Brazil’s top side has won.

Portugal coach Ilidio Vale said the result was “not completely just’’ but acknowledged Brazil’s “high-quality team.’’

“We were close to the dream, but we could not quite win it,’’ Ilidio said.

Asked about Ilidio’s claim of injustice, Franco replied: “I disagree with what [Ilidio] said. The trophy is in our locker room.’’

Oscar made the difference with his three goals - his first three of the tournament - in a performance that is sure to bring the big European clubs knocking on the door of the 19-year-old Internacional playmaker.

He broke through in spectacular style, sending a 40-meter free kick into the far corner, catching goalkeeper Mika flat-footed. It was the first goal yielded by Portugal in the tournament after six clean sheets in the previous matches.

Oliveira set up Portugal’s equalizer when he ran to the byline and cut the ball back across the face of the goal with Alex tapping it home.

Just a minute later, Brazil appeared to score, with a bouncing ball going over the Mika’s head. Replays suggested the ball had crossed the line, but American referee Mark Geiger let play go on.

Brazil always looked more threatening in the first half but could not find a way through Portugal’s formidable defense, crowding the front of the goal. The South Americans led in every statistical category in the first half and had 55 percent of the possession.

Oliveira put Portugal ahead in the 59th. He broke down the right, beat defender Juan and his shot from a sharp angle beat Brazil goalkeeper Gabriel at the near post.

Brazil’s equalizer came in the 78th. Mika blocked the initial shot by Dudu, but Oscar slotted the ball home.

Brazil had a slight edge in possession over the 90 minutes and a nine to four edge in shots on target, though Portugal often looked the more threatening.

Prior to Oscar’s winner, the best chance in extra time fell to Portugal’s Cateano, who broke down the right and forced Gabriel into a point-blank save, knocking the ball away with both hands.

Both teams seemed run-down in the final minutes, perhaps affected by playing at 2,600 meters in the Colombia capital. However, Ilidio said, “I don’t think the altitude was an important factor. We had chances to score in win in extra time, as did Brazil.’’

The result avenged the result of the 1991 final, when Portugal defeated Brazil on penalties.

Portugal has won the U-20 title twice, far behind the leader Argentina with six.

In Saturday’s third-place playoff, Mexico defeated France 3-1.

The third-place finish comes after Mexico’s senior team defeated the United States in the Gold Cup.

AP