You might think Japan, facing the reigning European champions, would be deferential against the Dutch. Instead they were borderline disrespectful, comfortably beating their opponents 3-0 and doing so with a performance of such total football it had the neutral spectators cheering their every pass. Hikaru Naruoka was excellent, but it was Wakatsuki who provided the fireworks, repeatedly leaving Oranje shirts crumpled in a heap with a series of twists and — ouch! — Cruyff turns. Not only did he net twice, he also won a penalty and selflessly allowed a teammate to convert it. Although still owned by Kiryu Daiichi High School, he has already made two senior appearances for top-flight side Shonan Bellmare.
The young Bologna goalkeeper produced the first penalty save of this U17 World Cup when he expertly blocked Israel Luna’s goalbound effort in Italy’s win over Mexico. Yet it tells a story that it, firstly, wasn’t a surprise, and secondly, wasn’t even the Italian’s best save of the match. As well as comfortably dealing with a variety of crosses and balls over the top, Molla had also stopped two Luna shots from point blank range, spreading himself wide and appearing impenetrable. Though he was beaten for the first time in 180 minutes late on, there was little he could do about the goal and appears to be a solid and calming influence in a typically organised Italian backline.
Wearing No11 for Canada, Jayden Nelson immediately caught the eye in their match against New Zealand when he went on a mazy run that left four white shirts chasing shadows. Forever looking for the ball and confident in his own undoubtable ability, the Toronto FC forward was a constant creative threat. Another who only turned 17 in September, Nelson is still rough around the edges and was guilty on occasion of trying to do it all himself. Yet his ability to ghost past opposition tackles stands him in good stead. Was also unfortunate to have a goal against New Zealand chalked off when VAR spotted a teammate in an offside position earlier in the attack.
A Brazilian named after an Argentine, the comparisons between young Gabriel Veron and venerated Juan Sebastian Verón of Parma and Lazio, among others, end there. The Palmeiras winger is a throwback to what we once expected of Brazilian midfielders before the likes of Casemiro and Fernandinho changed our impressions. Having just turned 17 in September, Veron has been deployed mainly on the right channel, causing problems for the opposition with his excellent close control and willingness to run at defences. With two goals and two assists in just 246 minutes of play so far, I’ll be shocked if he’s not linked to Europe in the next 12 months.
At the U17 World Cup in 2001, Spain introduced to the world two fresh-faced boys called Andrés Iniesta and Fernando Torres. Here, 18 years later, they may be introducing another future star. Pedri Gonzalez was the youngest player on the field against Argentina yet was at the heart of his side’s attacking play. Typically excellent both technically and tactically, Pedri is confident in possession, knows how to find those little pockets of space, and has the ability to create chances without needing to touch the ball, as demonstrated with a delightful dummy against the Latin Americans. Were it not for an overcooked pass by a teammate, he would likely have broken the deadlock too.
Alejandro Gomez (DF, Mexico and Atlas)
Pape Sarr (MF, Senegal and Génération Foot )
Hikaru Naruoka (MF, Japan and Shimizu S-Pulse)