FOOTBALL: Spain edges Mexico for women’s U-17 World Cup title

Spain celebrates: they're the 2018 FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup champs!

Claudia Pina scored twice in the first 26 minutes and the Spanish defense held up well enough for a 2-1 victory that made Spain a first-time winner in the FIFA women’s U-17 World Cup title at the Estadio Charrua in Montevideo (URU).

In fact, all the scoring took place in the first half. Pina scored in the 16th minute off a header from Salma Paralluelo, which she then dribbled into position for the first score. Ten minutes later, Pina finished with a single touch off a pass from Eva Navarro.

Down 2-0, Mexico scrambled to get back in the game and Nicole Perez’s corner kick found the head of Denise Castro in the 29th minute to cut the advantage to 2-1. But that was all the scoring.

Spain had the advantage in shots, 13-8 and in possession, 60-40.

New Zealand won the bronze medal, defeating Canada, 2-1.

Pina received the Golden Ball Award as the tournament’s best player. The Golden Boot for the top scorer went to Mukarama Abdulai (GHA), who scored seven times. The Golden Glove Award for best keeper went to Catalina Coll of Spain.

Spain won its third Women’s U-17 World Cup medal after a silver in 2014 and bronze in 2016. Mexico was a first-time medalist, as is New Zealand. See all of the match results and standings here.