After brilliantly passing the previous phase of the U-17 Women's World Cup, Spain starred in their best match of the competition during the early hours of Friday, which earned them a place in the Women's World Cup semi-finals. The Spanish team stifled Nigeria's ball circulation with strong pressure in the center of the field, and enjoyed great effectiveness in attack to knock out the Nigerians. Sandra Hernández from Lanzarote played again as a starter and was on the field for 90 minutes. Andrea Sánchez from Gran Canaria was also a starter, having a great presence in the Spanish team's attack.
Jorge Vilda introduced few changes in Spain's starting eleven to face the quarter-final match against Nigeria. The Spanish coach could not count on Nuria Garrote in the defensive line as the Spanish player was sanctioned for accumulation of yellow cards. The starting positions of Carmen Menayo and Ángeles Carrión "Leles" were the two novelties introduced by Jorge Vilda with respect to the previous matches. The Canary Islanders Sandra Hernández and Andrea Sánchez were again in the starting eleven.
It was precisely Sandra Hernández who was in charge of creating the first dangerous chance for the Spanish team. In the 2nd minute, she executed a free kick from the left side and the Nigerian goalkeeper took the ball out with difficulty. The first goal for Spain was not long in coming. A good steal of the ball provoked a quick counter-attack by Andrea Sánchez and the Canary Islander was knocked down when she entered the area. The action took place outside the area, although the referee mistakenly signaled the maximum penalty. Patri Guijarro was in charge of transforming the penalty and putting the 0-1 on the scoreboard.
Nigeria had more of the ball in their possession, although the strong pressure from Spain prevented them from getting dangerously close to the goal defended by Elena del Toro. Nahikari García could have increased the differences, but his shot went high in front of goal. The Canary connection worked perfectly and in the 39th minute they were about to score the second goal. Sandra Hernández, in a strategy foul, took a short pass for Andrea Sánchez's entry, the control was too long for the Gran Canaria player and her shot crashed on the body of goalkeeper Okeke. With the 0-1, the first 45 minutes came to an end.
Spain put land in the middle at the beginning of the second half. A good through ball from Laura Domínguez was taken advantage of by Nahikari García to enter the area and beat the Nigerian goalkeeper from below. The joy was unleashed in the Spanish team, seeing how they were getting closer and closer to qualifying for the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup.
The icing on the cake was put by Patri Guijarro in the 70th minute of the match. Short corner kick, hard shot by Sandra Hernández that was repelled by goalkeeper Okeke and Patri in front of goal took advantage of the rejection to make the third. After this action, the match was stopped for about six minutes due to the injury of the Nigerian goalkeeper. The worst news of the match would come in the 94th minute of the match. Pilar Garrote committed a foul on the edge of the area, the action cost her a yellow card and she will miss the semi-final match due to accumulation of cards.
Comfortable victory for Spain against Nigeria in what has been the best match for the Spanish team in this U-17 Women's World Cup. The rival in the semi-finals will be Italy, a team that qualified by eliminating Ghana on penalties, after drawing at two goals in regulation time. The semi-final match will be in the early hours of Monday to Tuesday, being scheduled at 03:00 hours. The other semi-final will pit Venezuela against Japan.
Technical Sheet
Nigeria (0): Okeke (Fubiana Brigss 77), Mary Ologbosere, Ugochi Emenayo, Esther Elijah, Joy Bokiri, Aminat Yakubu (Cynthia Acu 60), Ayomide Anibaba, Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu and Chinwendu Ihezuo
Spain (3): Elena del Toro, Silvia Mérida, Rocío Gálvez, Pilar Garrote, Nahikari García (Laura Ortega 68), Patri Guijarro, Andrea Sánchez (Beatriz Beltrán 80), Carmen Menayo (Queralt Gómez 88), Sandra Hernández, Laura Domínguez and Ángeles Carrión "Leles".
Goals
1-0: minute 13, Patri Guijarro from penalty
2-0: minute 57, Nahikari García
3-0: minute 70, Patri Guijarro
Referee: Anna Marie Keighley (New Zealand). She cautioned Pilar Garrote for Spain and Ugochi Emenayo and Esther Elijah for Nigeria
Incidents: Edgardo Baltodano Briceño Stadium, Liberia, Costa Rica. Quarter-final match of the U-17 Women's World Cup
