Superb Spain beat England to clinch U-17 EURO title
Finalists will be joined at FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup by Poland, who qualified with third-place play-off win.
Spain beat England to win UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship
Both finalists qualify for FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
Poland clinch spot at global finals for first time with third-place play-off win
UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship winners: Spain Dominican Republic 2024 qualifiers: Spain, England, Poland Player of the Tournament: Alba Cerrato (Spain) Golden Boot: Alba Cerrato (Spain) - seven goals
Spain will head to the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™ as continental champions after beating England 4-0 in the UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship final.
The outstanding Celia Segura netted twice and provided an assist as Spain dominated the Malmo clash. Golden Boot winner and Player of the Tournament Alba Cerrato was also on target, while England forward Rachel Maltby scored an own goal.
The EURO finalists will be joined at Dominican Republic 2024 by Poland, who clinched UEFA's final spot at the global finals with a dramatic third-place play-off win over France.
Spain soon settled into their stride in the final, circulating the ball with speed and accuracy and posing a constant threat. England defended resolutely but the deadlock was broken on 41 minutes when the deadly Cerrato (pictured below) rifled home a first-time finish from Segura's cross.
Spain took firm control of the game on the stroke of half-time, doubling their advantage when the unfortunate Maltby headed into her own net after a devilish Lorena Cubo corner delivery.
England started the second half brightly but Segura banished any hopes of a comeback when she poked in to make it 3-0 close to the hour mark. Her fine header then completed the scoring as Spain wrapped up a fifth U-17 EURO title.
They will go to Dominican Republic aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive U-17 Women's World Cup triumph.
The third-place play-off match between France and Poland was a thrilling affair. The tie finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, with the Poles eventually prevailing 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
The game got off to a fast start, with Oliwia Zwiazek slotting Poland into an early lead before Justine Rouquet equalised almost immediately. Rouquet then put the French 2-1 ahead – and they looked set to be heading for qualification as the tie entered its final stages. Poland, however, refused to buckle and levelled 10 minutes from time through Oliwia Lapinska’s stunning long-range strike.
On we went to penalties and, after France’s Ambre Ouazar and Celia Chabod were unsuccessful from the spot, Poland defender Magda Piekarska seized the chance fire in the winning kick and send her team to the U-17 Women's World Cup for the first time.
Photos courtesy of UEFA