MARGAO: Spain left it late again. A goal in the 90th minute by substitute Lucia Corrales booked her team’s place in the final and left Germany crestfallen and tearful in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday.
The 1-0 victory takes Spain to Navi Mumbai for Sunday’s final against Colombia and gives them a chance to retain the title. The result also denied Germany, playing their first semi-final ever, a chance to play their maiden final.
Spain featured in the last-four after turning the match around in the last three minutes against Japan in the quarterfinals and seem to be growing in resilience and fortitude by the match.
Intriguingly, much of that resolve stemmed from defeat. The Spanish lost their group C match to Mexico 1-2 and coach Kenio Gonzalo revealed it actually helped his team.
“That defeat changed the mindset of the girls,” he said. “They were very nervous especially when it came to the last minutes of the match. They learned how to handle those moments since then.”
Spain’s change of character came to pass against Japan. On the day, against vaunted opponents who beat them in the Euro U-16 final, they would need the mindset and more.
The match was evenly fought and the pendulum swung back and forth although the Spanish held sway on possession.
The largest crowd at the event in Goa, 10,264, were treated to pace and verve but no clear-cut chances save the goal.
But with two tactically-sound teams, clinical to the core, it would take an error or a ball falling kindly to make the difference.
A goal did come in the first half but Mara Alber, the cynosure of all eyes, had her strike disallowed by VAR for offside.
Unfortunately for Germany, enjoying an all-win record going into the match, the fateful moment occurred on the verge of full-time.
It came following a combine between substitutes. Ainhoa Alguacil crossed within the area for an onrushing Corrales to volley past Lina Altenburg in goal to bring on Spanish celebrations.
As the Germans sank to their feet in tears after the long whistle, the Spanish celebrated with their mascot wearing a No. 14 shirt – a tribute to a teammate injured at home during training.
