Dream is over:

It is okay to be disappointed, New Zealand coach Leon Birnie told his players at fulltime. The Young Football Ferns created history just by reaching the semifinals of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup. But they could not continue their dream run, falling 2-0 to European champions Spain at a wet Estadio Charrua in Montevideo yesterday.

New Zealand will play Canada in the playoff for third and fourth after Mexico won the other semifinal 1-0.

Spain struck on either side of halftime, with captain Claudia Pina scoring in the 39th minute and Irene Lopez in the 48th.

Birnie said he had mixed emotions as he delivered his post-match speech to his players.

‘‘I’m obviously disappointed we are out of the tournament. We had an opportunity to do something special and get to the final, but in the same sentence I’m really proud of the girls,’’ he said.

‘‘Spain are a really good side and we went out there, especially in the first half, and took the game to them. We had them in their half for long periods and we hit the crossbar and created some half opportunities.

‘‘I felt we switched off for that first goal and then once they got that second in the second half it was a long road back.’’

Pina’s goal was a cruel blow for New Zealand, who defended stoically throughout the opening stages of the match.

They were desperate not to concede first. But, after failing to clear the ball from away danger when a skewed shot trickled over by the corner flag, Spain’s brilliant right-winger Eva Navarro regained possession and sent in a dangerous cross.

Although Hannah MackayWright got a head to the ball, she directed it into the path of Pina,