Defending champion Spain beat Colombia 1-0 to win the 2022 U-17 Women’s World Cup at the D. Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
A late own goal by Ana Guzman was the difference between the two sides as Spain became the first country to defend the title successfully.
“We were defeated in the final of the Euro (U-17 Women’s European Championship 2022). We knew that we had to make up for that final, so we’re very satisfied to take this World Cup with us,” Spain’s head coach Keino Gonzalo told the press after the match.
“I just wanted to reiterate that I’m very thankful to all the people in women’s football in Spain. We won the Under-20 World Cup and now the Under-17 Women’s World Cup... We always know that World Cup Finals are like this. It’s always very challenging and I’m very happy about our victory and this World Cup,” he added.
Colombia – having scored six of its seven goals in the tournament in the first half – looked aggressive from kick-off.
In the sixth minute, Gabriela Rodriguez almost scored from a free-kick, only to be denied by a full-stretched Sofia Fuente of Spain, who stuck out her right hand to keep the ball out of goal.
Spain’s reply came 16 minutes later when Cristina Libran – receiving a pass from Vicky Lopez – shot from distance – only to see an identical save, this time on the other end by Luisa Agudelo.
After a goalless first half, Kenio Gonzalo’s side almost broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Cristina Libran – after an initial save by Agudelo – shot into the net.
However, after a VAR check, followed by the referee Katia Garcia having a look at the monitor, the goal was ruled out as the replay showed that the ball had come off Libran’s hand before her shot.
But Spain kept asking questions at the edge of Colombia’s box and finally broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute. Paula Partido and Laia Martret – who had come on after the hour mark combined with the former carrying the ball along the right flank.
Martret, on receiving the cross in the centre, tried to meet it with her right foot, only to see it roll into the net after a touch off Guzman.
“I feel proud of my players. Unfortunately, in the end, we lost the match. But we are going to hold our heads up high and we’re going to continue to work so that we can continue to dream about lifting ourselves this important role for the World Cup that is at some point,” Colombia’s head coach Carlos Paniagua said after the match.
“Spain has a very big structure behind its football, behind its league and we’re continuing to grow in our own league. In Colombia, we’re on the right path. And I think that if you look at both matches, Spain’s performance is better, and that’s why we lost both matches that we played against them in this tournament,” he added.
Match result: Colombia 0 lost to Spain 1 (Guzman 82’ OG)
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