Brazil Win South American U-15 Championship

A victory for Brazil, coupled with a loss for Uruguay, gave the host nation their second successive South American U-15 Championship on Sunday.

Going into their game against Chile, the Brazilians knew that a large victory would be required in order to put pressure on Uruguay in their later game against Argentina. And that was exactly what they got. Goals from Felipe, Belchior and Matheus Carvalho allowed them to record a 3-0 victory, leaving Uruguay requiring at least a draw to take the title in the final game.

Perversely, it was Brazil's great rival, Argentina, who clinched the championship for them by beating Uruguay 2-1. Matias Sosa gave Argentina the lead in the opening five minutes, only for Uruguay to equalise through the impressive Nicolas Mezquida quarter of an hour later.

Uruguay seemed content to hold out for the draw, with their tentative play allowing Argentina to take control of the game early in the second half. Mauricio Alfredo Aubone gave Argentina the lead for a second occasion after fifty-seven minutes and despite their best efforts, Uruguay were unable to find a way back into the game. Their frustrations boiled over at the end of game, with Alex Da Silva red-carded for foul play.

The results meant that Brazil won the championship on goal difference, with Matheus Carvalho's eighty-eighth minute strike providing the one goal cushion by which they were victorious.

Nicolas Mezquida of Uruguay and Peñarol won the golden boot, scoring five goals in seven games, leaving him two clear of a gaggle of players tied on three goals.

Uruguay in Pole Position to Take South American U-15 Championship

Uruguay are just a game away from clinching the South American U-15 Championship after recording their second victory of the final round-robin stage of the tournament, against Brazil.

Sebastian Gallegos gave Uruguay the lead after twenty-two minutes, only for Wellington to level the scores with a well-taken goal twelve minutes later. Uruguay got the just reward for their impressive first half display when Diego Polenta put them back in front, one minute before the break. Brazil performed better in the second half, but just couldn't find the back of the net, allowing Uruguay to hold on for the victory.

Chile kept their hopes alive by defeating Argentina 2-0 in the other game of the day. Goals from Cesar Valenzuela and Alex Gonzalez gave them a comfortable lead over the side that they had drawn with earlier in the competition. Their second successive defeat leaves Argentina with no chance of winning the tournament.

Going into the final games, Uruguay hold a three-point advantage over Brazil and Chile, who meet in the last round of matches. A draw against Argentina will be enough to guarantee Uruguay the title, although they could still win even if they lose the final match, depending on the result in the other game.

South American U-15 Championship Final Stage Round 1 Results

The final stage of the South American U-15 Championship got underway yesterday with the first of three rounds of games that will decide the winner of the competition.

Brazil got off to a good start, defeating Argentina 3-1 thanks to goals from Felipe, Gerson and Fernando. Argentina's solitary goal came late on through Eduardo Rotondi.

In the other game, Uruguay pulled off a surprise, defeating Chile 3-0. The Chileans were impressive during the first group stage, but were no match for a rampant Uruguay side for whom a double strike from Nicolas Mezquida and a single goal from Sebastian Gallegos were sufficient to take the victory.

Tomorrow's fixtures see Brazil face Uruguay, with Chile squaring up against Argentina.

South American U-15 Championship Update

Since the 27th October, the southern Brazilian cities of Porto Alegre and Bento Goncalves have played host to the new generation of talent on show in the South American U-15 Championship.

All ten CONMEBOL member nations entered the tournament's first stage, which saw the teams split into two groups of five, with the top two teams in each, qualifying for the four team round-robin stage that completes the tournament.

The nations who qualified for the final stage were Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and the current holders, Brazil. They will now all face off against one another in a round-robin format to decide the winner of the title.

This stage kicks off tonight, with Chile facing Uruguay and Argentina against Brazil.

Brazil and Chile have looked the most impressive of the sides who have made it to the final four, with Guilherme (Gremio) and Felipinho (Vasco da Gama) for Brazil, and Frank Fernandez (Universidad Catolica) for Chile, standing out so far.

Even at such a young age, scouts from Europe will still be keeping an eye on the players involved in this tournament. Argentine striker Federico Laurel moved to Spain immediately after the 2005 edition, and Brazilian youngster Fabio has since been signed by Manchester United. There will no doubt be similar stories from this year's competition.