Ferns exit with pride and a smile

It was when New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sent through a personalised good luck message that the magnitude of the team’s achievements hit home to Aneka Mittendorff.

‘‘Everybody was so shocked. It was so nice. I felt like it encompasses what New Zealand is like, it’s such a supportive country,’’ she said.

Although there was a brief moment when the players dropped to the Estadio Charrua turf in disappointment, following their 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semifinal of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, the Young Football Ferns captain exited the venue with a smile on her face.

She had just gone toe-to-toe with European champions Spain for 90 minutes and was proud to create history for her country.

New Zealand beat Finland and Uruguay to reach the knockout stage for the first time. There they upset Japan in a penalty shootout to earn a semifinal date with Spain.

‘‘The fact we’ve made it that far is just so surreal,’’ Mittendorff said. ‘‘To make the semifinals and to create history for our country is just amazing. Today wasn’t our day but that’s how football goes.’’

Spain scored their goals through Claudia Pina in the 39th minute and Irene Lopez in the 47th, with New Zealand’s best chance coming when Macey Fraser hit the crossbar from long range.

Despite losing the match, the journey is not quite over for New Zealand. Mittendorff said they will reflect on the loss back at the hotel before turning their attention to the third place playoff against Canada on Sunday morning (NZT).

‘‘Getting a medal would be surreal, especially at a World Cup. It may not ever come again so I think we’ll definitely put our best team out.

‘‘We’ll reflect on the game tonight, recover well, have a good night’s rest and take it from there.’’ DREAM RUN IS OVER