Jason Pine: Brazil hit form at right time

Brazil's Jorge, left, is congratulated by teammate Jean Carlos after scoring a goal against Senegal during their U20 soccer World Cup semifinal game in Christchurch. Photo / AP.

Nothing like hitting form at the right time.

After needing penalties to get past both Uruguay and Portugal in their previous two matches, Brazil finally came alive at this tournament, firing five past the hapless Senegalese in their semi-final in Christchurch yesterday.

Brazil were out of sight twenty minutes into this game, scoring as many goals in that time as we saw in all four quarter-finals combined. By the time defender Jorge had pleasantly passed the ball into the net to make it 4-0, any faint hopes of a Senegalese miracle were extinguished.

While it was their goals that caught the eye in Christchurch, Brazil's defence again stood firm, albeit against a shell-shocked Senegal side that managed just three attempts on target. It extended an already impressive defensive record even further; Brazil have now gone over 500 minutes without conceding a goal.

It also marked the 20th straight unbeaten game for Brazil at this tournament, a record they now hold on their own after going past Argentina's 19-match unbeaten streak, achieved between 2005 and 2015.

If Senegal were overawed by their first appearance in a World Cup semi-final, their African neighbours looked anything but.

Mali also fell behind early in their semi-final against Serbia, but came roaring back and equalised in spectacular fashion, with Youssouf Kone's left-footed pile-driver fizzing into the net past a Serbian goalkeeper who had only let two goals in, in the previous five matches.

Try as they might, neither side could find a winner inside 90 minutes, but for the second time in the tournament, Serbia scored an extra-time goal to break African hearts and halt the Malian fairy-tale one game from the final.

That won't detract from the wonderful tournament Mali have enjoyed, during which they've won a legion of fans and delighted us all with their football and sense of fun. They had an endearing naivety seldom seen at this level, even signing autographs as they ran back onto the field for the start of the second half last night.

Mali are currently 52nd in the senior FIFA rankings. On the evidence of the past three weeks, the future is bright for this exciting nation who - in years to come - may well pinpoint June 2015 in New Zealand as a turning point in their footballing fortunes.

We might not get an all-African final, but Mali's clash with Senegal for third and fourth place will be a fitting entree to Saturday's final.