MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – A spirited comeback fell just short for Mexico in a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the 2018 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup Final on Saturday night at the Estadio Charrua in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Denise Castro gave Mexico hope after Spain jumped out to an early 2-0, but El Tricolor was unable to find a second goal, becoming the second Concacaf team to finish as Runners-up in a FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup Final (United States, 2008).
Spain got off to a strong start with a pair of goals in the first half-hour of play. Claudio Pina scored the first of her two goals by receiving a headed pass, making a nice move to her left and firing into goal with a left-footed shot for a 1-0 Spain lead in the 16’.
Pina would strike again in the 26’ after some good work on the right flank from Eva Navarro, whose cut-back pass met the swinging right foot of Pina to extend the lead to 2-0.
Mexico would fight back, though, and it halved the deficit in the 28’ as Castro took advantage of a lapse in the Spanish defense and scored to make it 2-1.
Mexico looked to complete the comeback in the second half and had several very good looks at goal, but was unable to find a way past the Spanish defense.
Despite the defeat, there is plenty for Head Coach Monica Vergara to feel proud about, as the second-place finish is Mexico’s best-ever performance at a FIFA women’s youth tournament.
