The wait is almost over to discover which two teams will compete in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™ final, as Matchday 10 pits Spain against England.
Spain have brushed aside all in their path, blazing their way past Ecuador 5-0 in their quarter-final to bring their impressive goal tally to 15 in four games. England have found an alternative route to the final four, taking adversity head on and progressing thanks to inspired comebacks and a penalty shoot-out.
Spain v England
Felix Sanchez Stadium
۱۹:۰۰: Santo Domingo
۰۰:۰۰ (Friday): Madrid
۲۳:۰۰: London
The match
Just over five months ago, Spain and England met in the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship final. Both the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and men’s UEFA Euro 2024 finals were memorably contested between these two footballing nations. Despite this recent history, Thursday evening’s semi-final brings a clash never seen before at the U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Spain chase their third consecutive title in this competition and will hope to bring this experience and their outstanding goalscoring form to the fore. Alba Cerrato returns from suspension to give an extra dimension in attack, while Pau Comendador enters the field on the back of a quarter-final hat-trick.
England will bring their never-say-die attitude to their first semi-final in 16 years. Rebekah Dowsett’s heroics secured a penalty shoot-out victory over Japan in the quarter-final, while a 4-2 comeback victory with 10 players against Mexico will also add to England’s belief that anything is possible.
From the archive: England’s 2008 semi-final starting line-up, featuring several future senior team players including The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2020, Lucy Bronze (no. 12)
What they said
“England is a dynamic team, they know how to play short and long. I think it’s a really tough team to play against to reach the final.”
Kenio Gonzalo, Spain Manager
“We know a lot about Spain, we know it’s going to be really tough. We’ve learned some lessons from when we played them in May [in the UEFA Women’s U-17 Championship final] and we’ll be ready for them.”
Natalie Henderson, England Manager
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