Friday night was a milestone for Brazil's U-17 women's team, and not just because they punched their ticket to the semifinals of the South American Championship. For midfielder Pietra Lucci, it was a night to remember—her long-awaited debut in the continental competition.

Lucci, who plays for São Paulo, joined teammates Sophie (center back), Kotait (fullback), and Loren (goalkeeper) in making their first appearance on this stage. And she didn't hold back when sharing her excitement.

"I'm very happy, it's really rewarding," Lucci said. "Our mission was to show our identity, and we managed to put that into practice. The focus remains the same for the last game of the group stage, and we'll go strong into the semifinal."

Brazil's dominant 5-0 victory over Peru was powered by goals from Mari Gigante, Nicolly, and a hat-trick from Marcela—a performance that showcased the depth and talent of this squad. With the debut of Lucci and her teammates, every single one of the 22 called-up players has now taken the field in the tournament, a testament to coach Rilany Silva's trust in her full roster.

Next up, Brazil faces Ecuador on Sunday (3) at Estadio Ameliano Villeta in Paraguay for the final round of the group stage. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. Brasília time, with live coverage on SporTV. The team is already locked into the semifinals, but don't expect them to take their foot off the gas.

"The focus remains the same," Lucci emphasized. And with momentum like this, Brazil looks ready to make a serious push for the title.