Friday 13 May 2022, 08:00

Germany, Spain lead Europe’s India charge

  • Spain and Germany qualify for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

  • The Spanish, reigning world champions, have scored 14 goals without reply

  • France and the Netherlands will battle for Europe’s third and final spot at India 2022

Germany and holders Spain have become the first European teams to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 and will meet on Sunday to battle it out for the continental title.

The two teams set up that UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship final with last-four wins over France and the Netherlands respectively, continuing their impressive form at the Bosnia-hosted showpiece.

Semi-final results

  • Germany 1-0 France

  • Spain 3-0 Netherlands

Neither side has yet to concede a goal, in fact, with Spain racking up an aggregate score of 11-0 in the group phase before cruising past the Dutch.

Nina Pou provided the attacking penetration in that one-sides semi-final, scoring the world champions’ first two goals to settle the outcome long before Olaya Enrique added a third in stoppage time.

Germany, meanwhile, had it considerably tougher against the French in Zenica, ultimately prevailing in sweltering conditions thanks to Alara Sehitler’s lobbed effort late in the first half.

The beaten Bleuettes will now take on the Netherlands on Sunday to determine which of them claims Europe’s third and final berth at India 2022, while Sarajevo will host the final between the tournament’s dominant duo.

This year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place between 11 and 30 October, and Spain and Germany join China PR, Japan, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and hosts India in securing their places.

The quotes

"I am very happy, it’s a fantastic moment for Spain. This match, qualifying for the World Cup, it’s amazing. It’s very important for my team to have scored 14 goals, without conceding, it’s incredible. My players have a fantastic mentality. Germany are a very tough team, it’s a very difficult final, but Spain are in a good moment." Kenio Gonzalo, Spain coach

"I can’t put into words what it means to score two semi-final goals in a tournament like the EURO - it’s fantastic. We are very happy to have got our place in the World Cup, it’s a great opportunity. Now we are going to work to win the final." Nina Pou, Spain forward

"We are so happy we are now in the final. The girls performed very well and [a] 2-0 [win] was very possible for us, but France are a very good team and they challenged us. But [the victory] was very well deserved." Friederike Kromp, Germany coach

"We are really happy to be in the final. It was a tough game against France, and we are happy that we kept another clean sheet. Our defenders are machines!" Eve Boettcher, Germany goalkeeper