Spain and Brazil reach U-17 W Cup semifinals
kochi — Spain produced a sublime performance to defeat Iran 3-1 and enter the semifinals of the Fifa U-17 World Cup here on Sunday.
In the other quarterfinal Brazil defeated Germany 2-1 to book the place in the semifinal.
Abel Ruiz (13th minute) and Sergio Gomez (60th) gave Spain a decisive advantage before Ferran Torres (67th), who had a hand in both goals, found the target himself.
Saeid Karimi (69th) scored the only goal for Iran. Spain will meet African U-17 champions Mali in the semi-finals. Torres was in excellent form for Spain down the right wing and his combination with centre forward Ruiz created all sorts of problems for the Iran defenders.
Iran goalkeeper Ali Gholam Zadeh denied Spain a sure goal when he came off his line to successfully beat Ruiz to a cross from the right and punch the ball away. Mateu Jaume’s attempt off the rebound from outside the box hit the side netting. Ruiz found himself in possession inside the Iran penalty box only a couple of minutes later.
Although the Spain centre forward’s first shot was blocked by Iran’s Amir Esmail Zadeh, his first time attempt off the rebound found the net. Torres after beating the Iranian left back to put in a cross into the penalty box. Spain nearly doubled their advantage soon after, but Gholam Zadeh made another superb save to deny Cesar Gelabert at his feet, with the ball flying over the Iran crossbar. —