Brazil's passage to the final four was a tense one, with penalty shootout victories over Uruguay and Portugal in the round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively. But within two minutes of the semi-final the South American side was in front, when Senegal goal-keeper Andelinou Correa turned the ball into his own net in an attempt to cut out right-back Joao Pedro's low cross from the byline.
5' GOAL!! #BRAZIL 1-0 #SENEGAL Watch LIVE http://t.co/HwZPzi63bX #SBSTWG http://t.co/3bx1FFW5Jw — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 17, 2015
Just minutes later the lead was doubled when Brazil play-maker Gabriel Jesus burst from midfield and threaded a pass to Marcos Guilherme, who obliged with an equally impressive finish, firing clinically into the net from just inside the box.
7' GOAL!! Guillerme (BRA) #BRAZIL 2-0 #SENEGAL Watch LIVE http://t.co/HwZPzi63bX #SBSTWG http://t.co/lcXtKfzd56 — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 17, 2015
By the 19th minute and after Gabriel Jesus had struck the post with another fine effort, Brazil was 3-0 up and conjuring memories of the slick passing Selecao teams of yesteryear.
19' GOAL!! Boschilia (BRA) #BRAZIL 3-0 #SENEGAL Watch LIVE http://t.co/HwZPzi63bX #SBSTWG #BRASEN http://t.co/lqCpytSi4t — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 17, 2015
Real Madrid's Jean Carlos showed fine skill on the left and delivered an inviting low cross that keeper Ibrahima Sy could reach, but not quite hold. When the ball ran loose, Boschilia took full advantage, swooping in decisively to slot home from close range.
In a free-flowing, albeit one-sided content, Senegal had moments of its own, and only a brilliant reflex save from Jean was enough to divert Sidy Sarr's ferociously struck volley on to the crossbar soon after.
Brazil retired to the dressing rooms at half-time assured of their place in the final, having made it 4-0 with eight minutes of the opening 45 remaining.
35' GOAL!! Jorge (BRA) turns on the tekkers! #BRAZIL 4-0 #SENEGAL Watch LIVE http://t.co/HwZPzi63bX #SBSTWG #BRASEN http://t.co/g9bDCECMZE — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 17, 2015
The pace dropped in the second half, with Brazil preserving energy and Senegal unable to muster any kind of comeback. But Marcos Guilherme remained lively and, after testing the reflexes of Sy from 20 yards, he wrapped up the win with a well-worked fifth goal.
78' GOAL!! Guilherme (BRA) finishes a slick move #Brazil 5-0 #Senegal Watch LIVE http://t.co/HwZPzi63bX #SBSTWG http://t.co/fo4k3QtrND — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 17, 2015
Much of the credit on this occasion must go to the assist provided Boschilia. The midfielder had ghosted into the box and was in a good position to shoot, with only the keeper to beat, but saw his team-mate was even better placed and passed unselfishly for Marcos Guilherme to fire into the unguarded net.
Brazil marches on to Auckland's North Harbour Stadium, where it will hope to secure a sixth U-20 World Cup title on Saturday against either Serbia or Mali.
