BRAZIL Under-20 ended Uruguay U-20’s dream of making it to the final of the U-20 World Cup in Egypt with a 3-1 win.

Brazil started the match the better side of the two and picked up a deserved lead after about 20 minutes.

The Uruguayan defence allowed Vasco da Gama attacker Alan Kardec too much space in the area and the young forward slotted home with confidence to make it 1-0.

The Brazilians kept on dominating and doubled their lead only minutes later via Alex Teixeira. The Vasco da Gama youngster was left unmarked on the edge of the box and had no trouble beating the Uruguayan goalie from close range after a brilliant run down the right wing from Douglas.

Uruguay did their utmost to fight back, but they were hit on the counter-attack by the Brazilians at the half-hour mark. Three Brazilians charged forward after Uruguay lost possession and Alex Teixeira got possession after good work from Kardec. Teixeira cut inside to go by his opponent before curling the ball in the top corner with a left-footed strike.

Jonathan Urretavizcaya handed Uruguay a lifeline about ten minutes before the half-time whistle. Abel Hernandez failed to beat Brazil shot stopper Rafael with his shot, but the forward was alert to pick up the rebound before setting up Urretavizcaya.

Hernandez came close to making it 3-2 in the dying minutes of the first half, but his powerful header was not far enough towards the corner to beat Rafael.

Former Milan starlet Tabare Viudez entered the pitch at halftime and the gifted midfielder tested the Brazilian glovesman with a low shot after about 50 minutes after a good individual move. However, Rafael was not troubled too much and picked up the ball with ease.

Alex Teixeira kept on causing the Uruguay defence all kind of trouble after the break and the winger only just missed the target with a placed shot after being set up by Paulo Henrique.

Minutes later, Alex Teixeira went by a number of opponents before giving a brilliant through pass for Giuliano. The latter left the Uruguay goalkeeper behind with a nice individual move, but the referee misjudged the situation and blew his whistle for offside.

Once again Alex Teixeira should have decided the game after 83 minutes of play after a brilliant through pass by Giuliano, but the attacking midfielder was denied by Uruguay goalie Martin Rodriguez.

The referee had no choice but to award Uruguay a spot kick after dangerous play from Souza inside his own area. However, Rafael pulled off a world-class save to deny Hernandez from 12 yards. (Goal.cpm)