- Spain and Mexico to contest FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final
- Mexico reach title-decider for first time ever
- New Zealand and Canada to meet in match for third place
THE DAY REPLAYED – Spain and Mexico will meet in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 after beating New Zealand and Canada respectively in the semi-finals. It will be the Iberians' second appearance in the title-decider, having also progressed to this stage in 2014, but for Mexico it marks a historic first.
Results
Semi-finals
New Zealand 0-2 Spain
Mexico 1-0 Canada
Uruguay 2018: Semi-finals
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![Players of New Zealand and Spain enter the pitch]()
Players of New Zealand and Spain enter the pitch
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Players of New Zealand and Spain enter the pitch before the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 Semi Final match between New Zealand and Spain at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Mackenzie Barry of New Zealand wins a ball out of the air in front of Eva Navarro of Spain]()
Mackenzie Barry of New Zealand wins a ball out of the air in front of Eva Navarro of Spain
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Mackenzie Barry of New Zealand wins a ball out of the air in front of Eva Navarro of Spain during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Spain and New Zealand at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
© Getty Images
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![Mackenzie Barry of New Zealand tackles Eva Navarro of Spain]()
Mackenzie Barry of New Zealand tackles Eva Navarro of Spain
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Mackenzie Barry of New Zealand tackles Eva Navarro of Spain during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Spain and New Zealand at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
© Getty Images
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![Irene Lopez of Spain celebrates with Claudia Pina of Spain after scoring]()
Irene Lopez of Spain celebrates with Claudia Pina of Spain after scoring
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Irene Lopez of Spain celebrates with Claudia Pina of Spain after scoring a goal during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Spain and New Zealand at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
© Getty Images
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![Kelli Brown of New Zealand struggles for the ball with Eva Navarro of Spain]()
Kelli Brown of New Zealand struggles for the ball with Eva Navarro of Spain
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Kelli Brown of New Zealand struggles for the ball with Eva Navarro of Spain during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between New Zealand and Spain at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Claudia Pina of Spain, center, celebrates Jana Fernandez and Eva Navarro after scoring a goal]()
Claudia Pina of Spain, center, celebrates Jana Fernandez and Eva Navarro after scoring a goal
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Claudia Pina of Spain, center, celebrates Jana Fernandez and Eva Navarro after scoring a goal during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Spain and New Zealand at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
© Getty Images
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![Claudia Pina of Spain celebrates a scored goal]()
Claudia Pina of Spain celebrates a scored goal
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Claudia Pina (L) of Spain celebrates a scored goal during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 Semi Final match between New Zealand and Spain at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay.(Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Irene Lopez of Spain, right, celebrates with Eva Alonso]()
Irene Lopez of Spain, right, celebrates with Eva Alonso
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Irene Lopez of Spain, right, celebrates with Eva Alonso after scoring a goal during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Spain and New Zealand at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
© Getty Images
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![Irene Lopez of Spain and Eva Navarro of Spain celebrate after winning the game]()
Irene Lopez of Spain and Eva Navarro of Spain celebrate after winning the game
29 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Irene Lopez of Spain and Eva Navarro of Spain celebrate after winning the game during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between New Zealand and Spain at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Players of Spain celebrate after winning the game]()
Players of Spain celebrate after winning the game
29 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Players of Spain celebrate after winning the game during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between New Zealand and Spain at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Head coach Monica Vergara of Mexico looks on]()
Head coach Monica Vergara of Mexico looks on
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Monica Vergara of Mexico looks on before the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Mexico and Canada at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Starting line-up of Mexico versus Canada]()
Starting line-up of Mexico versus Canada
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Starting lineup of Mexico before the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Mexico and Canada at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Andersen Williams of Canada defends Silvana Flores of Mexico]()
Andersen Williams of Canada defends Silvana Flores of Mexico
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Andersen Williams of Canada defends Silvana Flores of Mexico during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Mexico and Canada at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Nicole Perez of Mexico scores from the penalty spot]()
Nicole Perez of Mexico scores from the penalty spot
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Nicole Perez of Mexico scores the penalty goal during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 Semi Final match between Mexico and Canada at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Nicole Perez of Mexico celebrates with team-mates after scoring the first goal]()
Nicole Perez of Mexico celebrates with team-mates after scoring the first goal
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Nicole Perez of Mexico celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of her team during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Mexico and Canada at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Jordyn Huitema of Canada dribbles past Silvana Flores of Mexico]()
Jordyn Huitema of Canada dribbles past Silvana Flores of Mexico
28 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Jordyn Huitema of Canada dribbles past Silvana Flores of Mexico during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Mexico and Canada at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Julieta Peralta hugs Natalia Mauleon of Mexico]()
Julieta Peralta hugs Natalia Mauleon of Mexico
29 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Julieta Peralta hugs Natalia Mauleon of Mexico after the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Mexico and Canada at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Aylin Avilez and Anette Vazquez of Mexico celebrate after winning the game]()
Aylin Avilez and Anette Vazquez of Mexico celebrate after winning the game
29 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Aylin Avilez of Mexico and Anette Vazquez of Mexico celebrate after winning the game during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Mexico and Canada at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Players of Mexico celebrate after their victory]()
Players of Mexico celebrate after their victory
29 Nov 2018
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - NOVEMBER 28: Players of Mexico celebrate after winning the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 semi-final match between Mexico and Canada at Estadio Charrua on November 28, 2018 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Memorable moments
Inclement weather: The semi-finals were played in wet and windy conditions at the Estadio Charrua in Montevideo – not that the fans let it dampen their mood, however. Braced against the weather with umbrellas and coats, they stood in the terraces and created a fantastic atmosphere right from the off, cheering on their teams whole-heartedly.
Role models: Hosts Uruguay may have been knocked out in the group stage, but the team's players have not yet said farewell to the tournament. Numerous members of the squad were at the stadium to watch and take inspiration from their contemporaries. Among them were Belen Aquino, who scored Uruguay's first goal at the competition, and Esperanza Pizarro, who likewise hit the target for her country.
Tight race for top scorer: Claudia Pina's goal to open the scoring for Spain against New Zealand not only paved the way for their path into the final, it also had an impact on the top scorers' list. Her tally of five puts her two behind Ghana's Mukarama Abdulai, who can no longer add to her haul following the Africans' elimination.
Maiden CONCACAF derby: Canada and Mexico contested the first-ever match between two teams from the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) in FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup history. Mexico edged Canada 2-1 in the region's qualifying competition and, once again, one goal was the difference between the two sides in Montevideo.
The words
"We switched off briefly ahead of their first goal and were punished for it. That's what semi-finals are all about: small moments that decide the game. That was a turning point because before then I had the feeling we were playing very well."
New Zealand coach Leon Birnie
Up next (all times local)
Saturday 1 December
Match for third place
New Zealand - Canada, Montevideo (16:00)
Final
Spain - Mexico, Montevideo (19:00)
Follow Uruguay 2018
