The two penalties that cost New Zealand dear in Under-17 Fifa World Cup

James McGarry holds his head in his hands. He missed a penalty and caused one. Photo / Screengrab

New Zealand have been knocked out of the Under-17 Fifa World Cup by Brazil - just seconds before a penalty shoot-out.

New Zealand were left heartbroken after a dramatic last-minute penalty saw Brazil claim a 1-0 win in their round-of-16 match at Vina del Mar, Chile.

Having put on a brave fight to keep the score locked at 0-0 through much of the game, New Zealand's hopes were dashed in the 96th minute when a tackle by James McGarry on Brazil's Luis Henrique in the penalty area saw the South Americans awarded a penalty.

Henrique then stepped up to convert his own penalty, slotting the ball low and left beyond goalkeeper Michael Woud's outstretched glove, sending Brazil into the quarter-finals.

Cruelly for McGarry, the youngster also missed an earlier opportunity to hand his side an unlikely lead, blazing a penalty over his own over the bar in the 65th minute.

New Zealand Coach Danny Hay said his side was left feeling "disappointed, devastated, and heartbroken".

"I thought the boys were fantastic," Hay said. "It was always going to be a really tough assignment, but there was some real belief going through that if we stayed organised, and if the boys worked extremely hard, that we would get an opportunity."

The two penalties were the only real chances on goal by either side during the match. In the first half Brazil were limited to three shots on goal, with Woud pulling off clinical saves to keep his side in the game.

While New Zealand were unable to get a shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, there was a contentious moment at the 30-minute mark when Connor Probert was taken down in the penalty area. Despite protestations from the New Zealand team, a penalty wasn't awarded.

"I thought we were hard done by not to get a penalty awarded to us in the first half," Hay said. "Then obviously [we] got that one in the 65th minute. To miss it was tough but then to concede like we did to a penalty in the last second of the game was difficult."

Hay made mention of the work ethic and dedication of the young side to make it to the round of 16 and come so close to defeating Brazil.

"I was asking them to give more and give me more, and they responded. Even though they had nothing left in the tank, they still kept digging deeper and deeper and finding some energy from somewhere to stay connected and coordinated and close down the Brazilian attack.

"I can only say that I'm so proud of this group of players. They've really come together and shown a huge amount of character."

If New Zealand had achieved the win, it would have been the first win for a men's team against Brazil. The New Zealand under-20 team drew 0-0 with Brazil last year in China, the closest result a national men's side has accomplished.

The Football Ferns are the only team to defeat the South American football giants, beating them in Switzerland in 2013.