Action from the FIFA U-17 World Cup match between Brazil and Honduras (white) on October 23, 2013, in Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)

 

RAS AL-KHAIMAH, UAE – Brazil defeated Honduras 3-0 in the final Group A game for each at Emirates Club Stadium on Wednesday, but the Catrachos still advanced to the knockout stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time. 

Honduras finished level with Slovakia in second place on four points, but the CONCACAF side advanced on goal difference.

The Brazilians, wh finished atop the group with maximum points from three games, pressured from the outset with Lucas heading Caio’s corner kick off the crossbar in the fifth minute.

In the 14th minute, Brazil jumped in front when Boschilla tucked a 24-yard free kick over the Honduran wall and inside the right post.

After near goals six minutes apart by Nathan and Eduardo, Boschilla doubled Brazil’s lead just before halftime, tapping the ball into the net after a penetrating run and perfect cross by Nathan.

Twenty minutes following the interval, the South American runner-up went up 3-0.  Caio latched onto a long pass from midfield by Nathan, took a touch and put the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Cristian Hernandez.

With Slovakia leading the United Arab Emirates by two goals in a match being played simultaneously, Honduras needed to survive a Brazilian onslaught in the final 25 minutes in order to advance to the knockout stage.

Kenedy had three opportunities with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation.  

First, he picked off an attempted clearance at the top of the 18-yard box, but put a left-footed shot over the crossbar.   Then, after making a diagonal run across the edge of the 18-yard box, his low attempt across the face of goal slid inches wide.

Finally, Kenedy’s free kick from the right edge of the 18-yard box deflected off the Honduran three-man wall and Hernandez did well to parry it away. 

In the 90th minute, Honduras was nearly victimized by an own-goal, as an attempted clearance by Steven Ramos went off the post.

Next up for the Hondurans will be a Round of 16 encounter against the Group C runner-up on October 28.