And The Oscar Goes To…

By Gordon Fleetwood, writing from New York

On a Saturday night in Peru earlier this year, Brazil went to Arequipa’s Estadio Monumental de la UNSA needing a win to clinch the South American Youth Championship. Coincidentally, their opponents were Uruguay, the very team that they needed to overthrow. On that February day, Lucas Silva had the game of a lifetime. He bossed the game and scored a hat-trick to spearhead a comprehensive 6-0 win. Neymar went on to collect the awards for top scorer and player of the tournament, but there was certainly an argument to be made that the latter prize belonged to Lucas. 

The demolition of Uruguay was the perfect end to what had been an incredible series of displays from the Säo Paulo midfielder. That night, another young attacking Brazilian midfielder had a front row seat to Lucas’ stellar show. Six months later, there was an eerie sense of déjà vu as Oscar went from being spectator into the role of main actor that he had seen Lucas execute with such aplomb.

Oscar’s hat-trick that broke Portuguese hearts and gave Brazil their fifth U20 World Cup title was certainly the cherry on top of a magnificent tournament for the upcoming star. Coming into the tournament there was some doubt that - after a less than stellar showing in qualifying - he wouldn‘t step into the leadership role left vacant by Neymar and Lucas, despite his obvious talent. This concern was soon put to rest as the Internacional midfielder quickly established himself as Brazil’s talisman, and carried this burden with ease as the team progressed. 

What made Oscar’s performances even more impressive was that he often was asked to play in an unfamiliar role while Coutinho was given center stage. However, Oscar adapted superbly and ended up overshadowing the Inter Milan player who - though he acquitted himself well and showed why he is so highly rated - waned as the tournament progressed. 

Conversely, Oscar grew with each game. His impressive displays were not just in attack. Oscar showed a willingness and an aptitude to pull him weight in the defensive phase of play as well. Overall, the twenty-year old was undoubtedly Brazil’s best player. Yet, strangely, he did not walk away with the Player of the Tournament award. That went to another Brazilian player who waited until landing in Colombia to come into his own.

The analogy that best fit Henrique’s year at the U20 level is that of the ugly duckling who became a beautiful swan. The striker watched most of the qualifying games from the bench. When he did come on, there were signs of what he had to offer, but not enough to convince Ney Franco to give him a starting berth. It was no surprise that Henrique’s seat on the bench was waiting for him in Colombia. However, in the intervening months, something had clicked in the young striker’s mind. His ten minute cameo in the first game was good enough to propel him in the starting XI for the next match. From there Henrique went from strength to strength. He scored in Brazil’s next three games - all of which were the crucial first goal. 

Disaster almost struck when a serious injury in the encounter against Saudi Arabia meant that Henrique was on the verge of missing the rest of Brazil’s game. Determination and modern medicine allowed him to continue. He went on to play well in the final three games, one of which was the semifinal where he scored a brace in a 2-0 win over Mexico. Henrique’s haul of five goals and three assists meant that he took home the Golden Shoe in addition to the Golden Ball. Quite the haul for a man who began the tournament as a substitute. 

Not that being a substitute for Brazil meant that your role was any less diminished. In fact, two perennial substitutes for Brazil proved to be just as important as any starter. The duo of Dudu and Negueba were part of the foundation of Ney Franco’s tactical setup. When the primary performers failed to break through, these players were sent on the provide something different with their pace and directness. Though the gangly legged winger Negueba was equally inconsistent  as he was effective, Dudu on the other flank played the role of a super sub to perfection. He provided a couple of assists to go with his three vital goals. Dudu’s most critical contribution came in the quarterfinal against Spain where he scored the decisive penalty to send Brazil through to the semifinals.

Then there are the other cast members who played important roles. The displays of eighteen year-old Gabriel - the youngest player on the squad- earned him the honorific Säo (Saint) quite a few times throughout the tournament. The young goalkeeper’s record of four clean sheets in seven games speaks for itself. In front of him, Danilo at right back and centerback Bruno Uvini formed the bedrock of the defense. Both players were excellent. 

The same can be said about the duo of Fernando and Casemiro in midfield. Fernando was excellent in that often underappreciated defensive midfield role. Casemiro’s overwhelming dynamism was missing in Colombia, but he did show another facet to his game by slotting in as a center back when Ney Franco switched to a back three. Another name of note is that of Willian. The elegant, versatile front man did frustrate at times  with some bouts of laziness, but when his talent did shine through, it was a beauty to behold.  

This triumph was definitely built on a team effort. 

In the end though, Ney Franco’s success with this U20 vintage will not be measured by the trophy sitting in the headquarters of the CBF, but by the number of players who make the transition to challenge for and claim spots in the senior squad. With so many factors in play, one can only guess who of the aforementioned players will make the leap. There some are who already have a foot in the door. Danilo has recently received a call-up to the Brazil squad, and one has to think that one awaits Oscar in the near future. What can be said however, is that these players are talented enough to make the step-up if they develop well.

However, for the moment, it is time to bask in the glow of this triumph for a little while longer. If this edition of the U20 World Cup had an Oscar style awards ceremony at the end, Brazil would sweep the main awards. Best Picture would go to Ney Franco’s men, and Best Director to Ney Franco himself. Henrique would take home the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the victorious campaign. Finally, the award for Best Actor would belong to Oscar, the man who wowed the audience throughout the competition before giving a virtuoso performance in the final scene. Bravo Oscar, bravo.