SUBBUTEO has been England Under-17s’ secret weapon all the way to the World Cup final.
Boss Steve Cooper has used the ever-popular table game to explain his tactics.
And the Mail reveal that that the Lions cubs even had the miniature players painted in the traditional colours of England and Brazil before they beat the Samba Boys 3-1 in the semi-final.
Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster might be the biggest fans of the old-school game.
The 17-year-old striker bagged trebles in both the 4-1 quarter-final defeat of the USA and the thrilling victory over a lively Brazil side.
The Subbuteo table was pictured inside the England dressing-room as they prepared to take on the Brazilians in Kolkota, India
And Brewster went on to become only the second ever Englishman to net a hat-trick against the world’s most famous footballing nation.
The Three Lions’ pace down the flanks eventually proved decisive as they set up Saturday’s final against either Spain or Mali
SPECIAL BREW – England 3 Brazil 1: Liverpool starlet Rhian Brewster’s hat-trick fires Three Lions to the U17 World Cup Final
England somehow thrived in temperatures of 30 degrees.
And Brewster notched the opener at the second attempt afterCallum Hudson-Odoi chipped through.
Paulinho finished off a double one-two with Paulinho to grab Brazil’s overdue leveller.
But the Three Lions looked more and more menacing on the break.
England are into the U17 World Cup final after defeating Brazil
Brewster stabbed home just before the interval to peak a strong period of England pressure.
And Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden was again the supplier on 76 minutes, enabling Brewster to tap home his match-clinching third goal.
England have already won the U-20 World Cup and U-19 Euros – suggesting the FA’ hard work in developing their international youth teams is finally bearing fruit.
It was Brewster’s second successive hat-trick for England
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