Argentina triumph in Qatar

YOUTH football

Argentina won the World Youth Championship for the second time when they beat Brazil 2-0 in the final in Doha, Qatar, yesterday, spoiling the favourites' hopes of emulating their senior side with a fourth title. Leonardo Biagini and the late substitute, Francisco Guerrero, scored.

In an ill-tempered final, a disappointing Brazil had their defender Cesar sent off in the 78th minute. Brazil had five players booked, and Argentina three.

"We challenged a giant and won. We are happy for the whole country. Argentina hoped for this and we have fulfilled the wish," the Argentine coach, Jose Pekerman, said. "We have grown as a side throughout the tournament and today we showed how much we have progressed."

Jairo Leal, the Brazilian coach, said his team never recovered from conceding the first goal. "They [Argentina] played an excellent tactical game and we couldn't find a way through," he said. "Instead of thinking about the match, we let our emotions get the better of us."

The former champions, Portugal, took third place, coming back from two goals behind with 21 minutes left to beat Spain 3-2.