Carmen Menayo scored the only goal of the match, as Spain defeated Japan 1-0 at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 in Concarneau on Thursday.

There were chances created at both ends in the first half at the Stade Guy-Piriou, with Japan’s Jun Endo forcing a couple of saves from Spain goalkeeper Catalina Coll, while Mami Muraoka curled an effort just over the crossbar.

The European U-19 champions claimed their winner just after the quarter-hour mark. From a corner, a scramble in the Japanese six-yard box resulted in Menayo converting her own rebound after her initial header came off the inside of the near post.

The Asian side came out positively after the break, as they went in search of an equaliser. However, they struggled to find many openings, with Coll making a routine save from substitute Riko Ueki midway through the second half. At the other end, Patri Guijarro put a low effort just wide of the target in the late stages.

Victory for La Rojita puts them in a strong position to advance to the quarter-finals from Group C.