HELSINKI, Finland -- Brazil defeated Spain 1-0 Saturday on a seventh-minute goal by Leonardo to win the FIFA Under-17 World Championship. Brazil became the first team to win the junior title three times.
Earlier, Argentina won the bronze medal, beating Colombia 5-4 on penalty kicks.
Leonardo, a 17-year-old defender, scored three of Brazil's 15 goals in six games. His winning goal came after Joao's curling free kick hit the post. Leonardo slammed the rebound past Spain goalkeeper Mandaluniz.
"In the South American qualifiers we were the best team, but we finished second," Brazil coach Paqueta said. "Today, the result was the most important thing."
Cesc, Spain's 16-year-old star, received the Golden Shoe award as the tournament's top goal scorer with five goals, tied with Carlos Hidalgo of Colombia, and the Golden Ball as the best player.
"In Cesc, we have discovered a great talent for Spain," Spain coach Juan Santisteban said.
In the bronze-medal game, Argentine goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made two saves in the shootout. The score was 1-1 entering the tiebreaker.
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