Venezuela retains South American U-17 women's championship title

Venezuela's under-17 women's soccer team won the 5th South American Championship on Sunday after defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final at Cabudare's Metropolitan Stadium in Venezuela's central western state of Lara.

With this trophy, Venezuela successfully defended the title they won in the last edition held in Paraguay in 2013.

Venezuela's only goal of the match was scored by Deyna Castellanos in the 49th minute assisted by Daniuska Rodriguez. This goal confirmed Castellanos' position as the highest scorer of the tournament with 12 goals.

"What we are celebrating here today is historic. We couldn't be more happier to be two-time South American champions. Nobody has done it before," the top goal scorer told local media while adding that she dedicated all her goals to her family and the Venezuelan people.

Rodriguez, who was recognized as the player who offered the most assists in the tournament, expressed her joy and said that the key to the team's success was the psychological preparation they did where they never doubted they could win the tournament again.

"Every time we went out to the pitch we had a winning attitude. We always try to correct the problems and today we were able to do that against Brazil with the goal that won the tournament for us. It is a great pleasure," she said.

After the victory, the U-17 team was praised by Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, as well as the President of Venezuela's soccer federation, Laureano Gonzalez.

"The golden generation wave the flag of joy and our homeland's victory. Congratulations champions," Maduro wrote on his official Twitter account.

Gonzalez congratulated the "heroines" and said they "made their country proud." Endi