A penalty in the last minute helped Spain nudge out a strong France 2-1 and ensure a place in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. The pre-quarterfinal encounter at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here on Tuesday saw a battle of attrition where Spain erased a goal’s deficit to end France’s dreams. Spain now travels back to Kochi, where it played the group league stage, to meet Iran in the last-eight stage.
France went ahead through Lenny Pintor before Juan Miranda fetched the equaliser barely a minute from the end of first half. Abel Ruiz then converted the penalty to help his side progress.
The two European giants were on an even keel, both in terms of attack and ball possession in the opening session.
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The two even played similar formations but Spain strategised a better comeback towards the end even as France ran out of steam.
France found the breakthrough first with its midfield workhorse Maxene Caqueret creating the opportunity off a fine interception near the centre-line in the 34th minute.
Caqueret released Amine Gouiri with a through pass outside the Spain box. The latter in turn pushed the ball diagonally for an onrushing Pintor to find the net with a snap shot.
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Spain, which so far had been playing a waiting game, started pushing more men into the attack in search of the equaliser. Juan Miranda, playing as left back, made an overlapping run through the flank in the 44th minute and sent a probing cross that was parried by French goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
The ball, however, fell to Span captain Ruiz, who turned it square for Mohamed Moukhliss to release Ferran Torres on the right. Torres sent in another floater across the goalmouth where an unmarked Miranda nodded home.
The second half belonged to Spain as it showed greater variety in passing and attack.
The La Liga influence seemed to count for the Spaniards, who finally found the winner off a penalty. Barcelona’s Ruiz and versatile Valencia midfielder Torres had chances earlier but could not put them past an alert Fofana.
The result: Pre-quarterfinals: Spain 2 (Juan Miranda 44, Abel Ruiz 90-pen) bt France 1 (Lenny Pintor 34).