3-0: Spain will play in the final against North Korea

Spain sealed his pass in the final of U-17 Women’s World Cupwhich will be held in the Dominican Republic, after winning 3 goals to 0 in England and now he will face his counterpart North Korea in search of his third straight title in the category. At the Félix Sánchez stadium in Santo Domingo and under the watch of the first finalist of the tournament, the North Korean team, the second semifinal of the world championship was played.

England started the first half better, using a good high press to make it difficult for the Spanish to control the ball, a situation that was difficult for La Rojita to counter, especially in the first 25 minutes. The Spanish squad started a bit nervous and England started to create clear chances. Vera Jones was the first to sound the warning with a completely unmarked header that rose.

A few minutes later, an error on a kick by goalkeeper Laia López left the goal to Olivia Jhonson, whose goalkeeper was already on the ground, but she finished wide. After relenting, Spain gradually adapted to the bold English style of play and, thanks to Pau Comendador, began to produce more of the former.

Alba Cerrato had two chances to score against McSheffrey, but the goalkeeper stopped them one-on-one. However, in the third attempt, Cerrato pointed more calmly – a great cross from Celia Segura – to put Spain ahead at 45+2 minutes of the first half. At 1-0 came the end of the first half, with the English more pressing than the Spanish, but less effective.

In the 58th minute, in a great collective play – typical of Spanish football – came the second goal for La Rojita, the combination of Celia Segura and Ainoa Gómez led to the definition of Pau Comendador, the current top scorer of the tournament. England, with half an hour left in the game, took a step forward and forced Spain, for the first time in the entire tournament, to drop back in search of counterattacks. During that period of the match, Erica Parkinson and Olivia Johnson tried to close the gap, but with no luck.

In the final minutes, England’s push was undermined by the result and by physical fatigue, as they made just one change, and Spain held on without too much trouble. In the 98th minute, with the game in its final moments, a deadly free kick directed by Noa Ortega and Iris Ashley resulted in a Zara Shaw own goal, unfortunately for Zara Shaw.

Thus, Spain have overcome the difficult challenge posed by the English squad, in a measure it has not faced so far, and will face North Korea in the final, aiming to secure its third title next Sunday.

TECHNICAL SHEET

3 – Spain: Laia Lopez; Martina González, Claudia de la Cuerda (Lorena Cubo, min 82), Aira Aguirrezabala, Nerea Carmona; Irune Dorado, Clara Serrajordi (Emma Moreno, min 82), Ainoa Gómez; Pau Comendador (Iris Santiago, min 82), Celia Segura (Noa Ortega, min 71), Alba Cerrato (Elena Vázquez, min 95)
Coach: Kenio Gonzalo
0 -England: Hope McSheffrey; Nelly Las (Eva Gray, min 94), Rachel Maltby, Zara Shaw, Cecily Wellesley-Smith: Laia Herbert, Erica Parkinson, Omotara Junaid; Vera Jones (Izzy Fischer, min 97), Lola Brown, Jane Oboavwoduo (Sophie Hardwood, min 84).
Instructor: Natalie Henderson
referee: Asaka Koizumi (Japan).
Objectives: 1-0, Alba Cerrato (m. 47); 2-0, Pau Comendador (m. 58); 3-0, Zara Shaw (pp, m 98)
Events: Matches corresponding to the second semi-final of the U-17 World Cup played at the Félix Sánchez Stadium in Santo Domingo before 2,970 spectators.