Spain became the first country to win two straight titles of the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup; a Colombian own goal handed them victory in the final played at the D. Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai Sunday.
Both teams battle all through the game with no goal to show for their efforts, but with only eight minutes left on the clock Colombia’s Ana María Guzmán scored an own goal.
Colombia – having scored six of its seven goals in the tournament in the first half – looked aggressive from kick-off. In the sixth minute, Gabriela Rodriguez almost scored from a free-kick, only to be denied by a full-stretched Sofia Fuente of Spain, who stuck out her right hand to keep the ball out of goal.
Spain’s reply came 16 minutes later when Cristina Libran – receiving a pass from Vicky Lopez – shot from distance – only to see an identical save, this time on the other end by Luisa Agudelo.
After a goalless first half, Kenio Gonzalo’s side almost broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Cristina Libran – after an initial save by Agudelo – shot into the net.
However, after a VAR check, followed by the referee Katia Garcia having a look at the monitor, the goal was ruled out as the replay showed that the ball had come off Libran’s hand before her shot.
But Spain kept asking questions at the edge of Colombia’s box and finally broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute. Paula Partido and Laia Martret – who had come on after the hour mark combined with the former carrying the ball along the right flank.
But the real drama was in the third place match where Nigeria’s Flamengos pipped Germany 3-2 on penalties after letting slip a three-goal advantage.
Opeyemi Ajakaye, Amina Bello and Edidiong Etim had Nigeria 3-0 up but Germany hit back through Jella Veit and Paulina Bartz for an exciting last five minutes, with Lauren Bender then netting a late leveller to force the shoot-out.
Ajakaye was named player of the match.
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