Maika Hamano was bestowed with the adidas Golden Ball
The adidas Golden Boot was comfortably claimed by Inma Gabarro
Txell Font, Tarciane and Yuzuki Yamamoto also won awards
adidas Golden Ball: Maika Hamano
The sorceress may have been in floods of tears at the final whistle, but she can at least take consolation from being chosen as the competition’s best player. Hamano’s cocktail of skills, passes and goals terrorisied opponents throughout. She became the second Japanese to seize the Golden Ball after Hina Sugita in 2016.
adidas Silver Ball: Inma Gabarro
The Spain No9 was lethal in Central Valley. Her eight goals were the most a player has scored at a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since Alex Popp in 2010, while her gem against the Netherlands in the semi-final was breathtaking.
adidas Bronze Ball: Tarciane
An absolute rock for Brazil who kept Gabarro quiet in a 0-0 draw and performed admirably against Hamano in the semi-finals. Tarciane also registered three goals, including two – one was a stunning overhead kick – in the 4-1 win over the Netherlands in the play-off for third place.
adidas Golden Boot: Inma Gabarro
8 goals | 0 assists
adidas Silver Boot: Maika Hamano
4 goals | 1 assist
adidas Bronze Boot: Yuzuki Yamamoto
3 goals | 3 assists
adidas Golden Glove: Txell Font
Goalkeeping was indubitably better than it ever has been at a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Lisan Alkemade, Celeste Espino, Gabi Barbieri and Shu Obha were all supreme, but the TSG adjudged that Font was even better. Only 17, Font conceded only two goals at Costa Rica 2022.
Fair Play Award: Japan
Who else? The Japanese are perennial princesses of fair play and have permanent smiles on their faces while they play.