Goals from Juju Harris and Myka in a 2-2 draw with Colombia at the South American U-17 Women’s Championship have secured Brazil’s qualification for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™.

With three of the four nations in the final stage qualifying for the global showpiece in the Dominican Republic, Brazil knew – after beating Ecuador three days ago – that a draw would be enough in the second of their three group matches.

That point was looking unlikely though as Colombia took a 2-0 lead early in the second half only for two goals in as many minutes just after the hour sparked the Brazilian turnaround.

It was midfielder Myka who scored the decisive goal to complete a fairy tale couple of weeks for the Internacional teenager, who was a late call-up to the squad on the eve of the tournament.

Having progressed undefeated through the group stage in dominant fashion, scoring nine and conceding just the one, Brazil then sent a further warning with that 4-0 demolition of Ecuador in the Paraguayan city of Ypane.

Things were far more complicated, though, in this second match of the final phase as a penalty from Nikol Rojas in first-half stoppage-time and then a second, following a rebound, via Maithe Lopez six minutes after the restart had Colombia in control.

It was captain Juju Harris who started the comeback as she scored from a corner in the 61st minute before Myka’s deflected long-range effort a minute later pulled Brazil level and, ultimately, punched their ticket to the U-17 Women’s World Cup.It’s the fourth straight qualification for the four-time South American champions, who have surprisingly never progressed past the quarter-finals at the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

With Ecuador edging past the hosts Paraguay 1-0 in the day’s other match, La Tri now sit second and know a point against Colombia in their final fixture will also see them qualify.

Paraguay, meanwhile, face the daunting task of likely having to defeat Brazil to reach what would be a fourth appearance at the global finals and their first since 2016.