November 1 – Spain have retained the U-17 Women’s World Cup title defeating Colombia 1-0 in the final to bring the second FIFA tournament ever staged in India to a close.
Following a spell of sustained pressure, Spain scored the winner in the 82nd minute when the ball deflected off Colombian right-back Ana Guzman and went into the net. The Spanish had also beaten the South Americans in the group stage with the same scoreline, confirming their knack for scoring late goals. In the first group game, Jone Amezaga scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute.
The Spanish also raced to victory with very late goals against both Japan and Germany in the knockout phase.
Four years ago, Spain defeated Mexico in the final 2-1 in Montevideo, Uruguay. Spain also reached the final of the 2014 tournament, only to fall to Japan 2-0 and finish as runners-up.
Nigeria claimed the bronze medal after edging past Germany on penalties.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and AFC president Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa were among the dignitaries in attendance at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.
Five years ago, India also hosted the U17 World Cup and while that tournament attracted big crowds and a media frenzy, the 2022 Women’s edition failed to match that enthusiasm.
The hosts crashed out in the group stages in a lacklustre fashion. Early favourites the United States exited the competition in the quarter-finals where Tanzania’s dreams also came to an end against Colombia. In the last game of the tournament, the South Americans would once again meet Spain and once again the champions would prove too strong.
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