Spain did their homework in the third match of the first phase of the U-17 Women's World Cup. The Spanish team needed to win to avoid depending on other results and to secure qualification for the quarterfinals of the world cup. From the first minute of the game, Spain went out to decide the match, and barely needed 20 minutes to achieve a three-goal advantage. Sandra Hernández from Lanzarote played the 90 minutes of the match and gave three goal assists to her teammates. Sandra continues to consolidate her place in Spain's starting eleven and is proving to be one of the most complete players in the national team.
Jorge Vilda repeated the lineup against Paraguay, with the Canary Islanders Sandra Hernández and Andrea Sánchez starting from the beginning of the match. In just 17 minutes, Spain would leave the match ready to be decided and certify their qualification for the quarterfinals of the U-17 World Cup. Beatriz Beltrán took just three minutes to open the scoring, taking advantage of a good play down the left wing. Then came the goals from Andrea Sánchez from Gran Canaria. The first with a powerful shot and the second taking advantage of a ball in depth.
With the score at 3-0, Spain relaxed too much and the shortcomings of the Spanish team began to surface. A team with difficulties in getting the ball out playing from the back and that suffers in set-piece actions. Precisely from a free kick came Paraguay's only goal in the match. Fanny Godoy won the game against the Spanish defenders and managed to beat the goal defended by Elena del Toro.
In the second half, Spain took advantage of the physical decline that Paraguay gave in the final stretch of the match and managed to increase the differences in the score. Sandra Hernández from Lanzarote had an outstanding performance in this second half, giving three goal assists. The first, stealing a ball in the center of the field, getting past several opponents and passing for Nahikari to beat the goalkeeper of Paraguay at will. The execution of a free kick and a corner kick by Sandra Hernández were used by Pilar Garrote and Nahikari to increase the differences in the score.
With the score of 7 to 1, the match came to an end, with Spain achieving a brilliant qualification for the quarterfinals of the U-17 Women's World Cup. Spain's next opponent in the quarterfinals will be Nigeria, in a match that will be played in the early hours of Thursday to Friday. The Nigerians have finished as leaders of their group, winning all three matches of the first phase of the competition.
Match Details
Paraguay (1): Heidi Salas, Yennifer Álvarez, Natalia Genes, Analia Torres, Lorena Alonso, Fanny Godoy, Jessica Aquino (Camila González 68), Jessica Martínez, Griselda Garay, Gabriela Amarilla and Laurie Cristaldo (Shirley López 75)
Spain (7): Elena del Toro, Nuria Garrote (Aitana Bonmati 46), Beatriz Beltrán, Silvia Mérida, Rocío Gálvez, Pilar Garrote, Nahikari, Patri Guijarro (Maite Oroz 74), Andrea Sánchez (Mireya García 46), Sandra Hernández and Laura Domínguez
Goals
0-1: minute 3, Beatriz Beltrán
0-2: minute 10, Andrea Sánchez
0-3: minute 17, Andrea Sánchez
1-3: minute 24, Fanny Godoy
1-4: minute 62, Nahikari
1-5: minute 76, Pilar Garrote
1-6: minute 79, Pilar Garrote
1-7: minute 82, Nahikari
Referee: Mirian León. Cautioned Fanny Godoy for Paraguay and Nuria Garrote and Rocío Gálvez for Spain
Incidents: Edgardo Baltodano Briceño Stadium, Liberia, Costa Rica. Third match of the first phase of group C of the U-17 Women's World Cup
