SEMI-FINAL
Spain 3-0 England
Spain goals: Alba Cerrato (45+2), Pau Comendador (58), Zara Shaw OG (90+9)
Player of the Match: Martina Gonzalez (Spain)
There has been a sense throughout the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™ that Spain were on a collision course with Korea DPR for the final, and on Thursday night at Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo, La Rojita downed England in the second semi-final to set up a dream decider for Sunday.
Alba Cerrato returned from suspension to score, while Pau Comendador put herself in the lead for the adidas Golden Boot with her fifth goal of the tournament to help send Spain to their third successive U-17 Women’s World Cup final.
England came out the stronger side and were unlucky not to have broken the deadlock midway through the half when a defensive error allowed Olivia Johnson to fire toward goal with the goalkeeper out, only to see her shot smack the crossbar.
It was a frustrating first 45 minutes for Spain, but they were starting to find space down the right channel and a final attack before half-time yielded the opening goal, with Cerrato polishing off a Celia Segura cross. Spain started to turn the screws in the second half and doubled their lead with slick passing from Segura and Ainoa Gomez setting up Comendador, who didn’t miss from close-range.
With England pushing high up the pitch in search for a way back into things, they were hit on the counter as Spain grabbed a late third; Zara Shaw turning Iris Santiago’s goal-bound effort into her own goal to cap off another impressive showing from the European heavyweights.
What they said
“We are very happy and very excited for what’s coming. I think the final will be difficult because Korea DPR is a great team but we are capable of beating anyone, so we can win.”
Martina Gonzalez, Spain defender
“I’m full of pride, really. The girls gave it a real good go, that’s all we asked of them at the start. We promised each other that we were going to give it our best shot, and I think we did.”
Natalie Henderson, England coach
Three players who shone
Celia Segura (Spain): Always alert on the left side, Segura was involved in all the successful combinations for Spain that troubled the English defence. She provided the assist for Alba Cerrato and helped set the table for Pau Comendador’s goal to double the lead.
Pau Comendador (Spain): Not only did Comendador take the adidas Golden Boot lead with her fifth goal to make it 2-0, but she was also a constant menace to England with her incisive runs and bewildering technique.
Cecily Wellesley-Smith (England): In defeat, Wellesley-Smith consistently held her ground against the fierce Spanish attack. The English centre-back’s height allowed the Young Lionesses to keep Spain off the scoresheet for most of the first half, with four key interventions, including a key block from a few yards out.
Moment of the day
Cerrato had missed the previous two matches through suspension, but she was electrifying in her return and gave Spain a massive lift right before half-time with the game’s first goal, which ultimately served as the winner. Cerrato finding the scoresheet is a great sign for Spain going into the final.
