Spain along with Germany dominate the European Championship for the J17 team and have been in the final eight times out of a possible twelve, with four European Championship titles in dividend. The young Spanish girls were too good for Norway on Tuesday.
This was especially true for López, who was central in the two goals that conceded the match. In the 26th minute, Mina Bell Folland sent a corner kick right at Paula Duran who headed it sharply past the goalkeeper. He dribbled both Madelen Eid and Mia Hambro Svendsen. Then he served to Carla Camacho, who dumped Ingrid Rame and scored.
51 minutes into the game, the visitors took a 0 – 2 lead as López completed an attack from the left with a spectacular scissor kick. He first dribbled through Anna Lervik and then Vilde Hulaas Grøseth before he sent a left-footed shot into goal under the crossbar.
Big opportunities
Folland had a good chance to score after a counter-attack in the 7th minute but Eduardo Alonso’s shot from the left went high over the bar. It was Norway’s only big chance before the game was decided.
Substitute Laia Martret made it 3-0 with a shot that hit the crossbar in the 62nd minute. Shortly after, Norwegian striker Mawa Sesay came on, but the goalkeeper came out and took the finish.
Lucia Corrales created several great chances before she decided the result in the last minute. Spain also have two finishes at the post.
Highest level
– We met a very good team, and Spain deserve credit for what they brought today. There are references at the highest level for us, says national team coach Elise Brotangen soccer.no.
– We’re a little disappointed that we didn’t reach our press game and we cloned it more for ourselves in some situations.
Norway will have to bounce back in Friday’s match against France, who earlier Tuesday beat Finland 2-0. With no points for Norway at that time, any hope of qualifying for the semifinals was dashed before the final round.
– In the second qualifying round we lost the first game (against Serbia). Then there was one team that qualified, and that was us (after the decisive win over Sweden). Now there are two to continue. “The experience we have with us shows that we still have all the possibilities,” said Brotangen.
