Spain’s Under-17 Women Fail to Copper-Fill Final Guts Against France
The Spanish women’s under-17 squad awaited another shot at the European crown, yet the bid ended in a 2-3 defeat to France in a final that saw two late goals decide the outcome. The match, staged in Tallinn, Lilleküla, capped a tournament that had showcased the team’s grit and style, only to be halted at the last hurdle by a French side notable for its speed and precision up front.
From the opening whistle, Spain exuded authority and confidence, pressing with intent and moving the ball with tempo. France, however, matched the pace and answered with disciplined organization. Spain dictated possession, lofting long, probing passes and repeatedly threatening the spaces behind the French defense, yet the chances that followed did not convert into a clear scoring spree. The game’s early stages painted a picture of a tightly contested duel, with France relying on quick counters and clinical finishes when opportunities arose.
With Vicky López anchoring the attack, Spain looked to swing the ball across the field, looking for gaps and second chances. France did not appear flustered; they absorbed pressure and waited for a moment to spring forward, hoping to exploit any lapse in Spain’s backline. Spain’s approach was direct yet patient, attempting to unlock the French defensive lines with precise deliveries and sharp combination play.
In a match that had its share of aerial battles and sharp one-touches, Spain pressed with intensity but found the finish lacking at critical moments. The crowd witnessed a determined performance from the Spanish players, who fought for every inch on the turf and refused to relent even when the scoreline suggested a comeback might be out of reach.
After a tense first half, the second period began with a renewed Spanish push, as López and Ainhoa Alguacil fired shots from the flanks in quick succession. France’s reply came through a long-range strike by Liana Joseph, slicing through the defense and signaling that the French were not prepared to concede lightly. The second half unfolded as a constant back-and-forth, with both sides creating chances and chasing a decisive breakthrough.
Kenio Gonzalo’s squad remained hopeful of a late surge, even as the clock advanced. The match took a pivotal turn around the 64th minute when López broke into space, though a previous offside challenge had briefly interrupted a potential breakthrough. In that moment of danger, France seized control: possession shifted quickly, and Joseph, a standout throughout the game, used her strength to slip past defenders and slot the ball past the Spanish goalkeeper at close range, putting France ahead.
The French team struck again ten minutes later, extending their lead after a defensive miscue that left them with a clear path to goal. Spain faced a daunting task as France seemed to gain momentum, with Joseph once more involved in the buildup and finish. The Spanish defense found no easy answers as the minutes ticked away, and the scoreboard reflected a mounting challenge for Kenio Gonzalo’s men.
Controversy erupted in the 78th minute when Maeline Mendy converted a goal that appeared to involve impinging contact from a Spanish touch, a decision that drew sharp debate among commentators and players alike. Despite the emotional swing, López remained a constant threat and pulled a late consolation goal with a strike from outside the box, briefly rekindling Spain’s hopes of an unlikely comeback. The contest stretched into dramatic late stages as López again found the net, pulling Spain within a single goal with ten minutes left and signaling a possible twist in the tale.
Despite a bold push in the final minutes, Spain could not complete the turnaround. López delivered one final, defiant moment—a body shot that momentarily threatened a dramatic overtime—but the ball did not cross the line, and the referee’s whistle closed the match with France crowned European champions in the category for the time being. The performance, though marked by a narrow defeat, underscored the players’ persistence and talent as they bowed out with heads held high.
Data sheet:
2 – Spain: Estensor; Noe Bejarano, Aïcha, Daniela, Martina González (Marisa, art. 76); Ainhoa sheriff (Noa Ortega, m.69), Daniela Arques, Cris Librán; Pau (Celia Segura, m.46), Cris and Vicky López.
3 – France: Fernandes; Delcroix, Sangare, Autin, Business; Effa (Rambaud, m.73), Maeline Mendy, Melinda Mendy (Lushimba Bilombi, m.82), Joseph (Swierot, m.90); Naolia Traore and Ben Khaled.
Goals: 0-1, m.64: Joseph. 0-2, art.74: Joseph. 0-3, m.78: Maeline Mendy (penalty). 1-3, art.79: Vicky López. 2-3, art.80: Vicky López.
Judge: Minka Vekkeli (END). The Spanish player Aïcha Camara was sent off with a direct red at minute 95, while yellow cards were shown to Daniela Arques and Cris Librán for Spain and to Joseph and Delcroix for France. The final took place at Lilleküla Stadium in Tallinn. [Source attribution: SEFutbolFem, May 26, 2023]