U20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
Spain bow out after extra-time with their dignity intact
North Korea went ahead with two goals from pieces. Nahikari and Lucía García levelled the score but Phyong Hwa hit the winner in extra-time. Spain-Italy U21 live
Beaten in extra-time
RESUME
North Korea: Kim Myong Sun; C. Sol Gyong, Un Yong, So Yon; Jong Sim (UN Sim, 95’), Un Hwa (Kyong Hyang, 41’, Un Hwa, 79’), Hyo Sim, Hyrang Sim; So Hyang (Hyang Sim, 67’) and Phyong Hea.
Spain: Mariasun Quiñones; Andrea Sierra, María Bores, Carmen Menayo, Bea Belrán; Mariona (Alba Redondo, 99’), Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmati (Maite Oroz, 99’); Nahikari (Sandra Hernández, 82’), Lucía García, Andrea Falcón (Laura Domínguez, 110’).
Goals: 1-0 (18’): Ju Hyo Sun; 2-0 (30’): Ri Hyang Sim; 2-1 (38’): Nahikari; 2-2 (63’): Lucía García; 3-2 (106’): Kim Phyong Hwa.
Referee: Casey Reibelt (Australia). Booked Carmen Menayo (41’), Aitana Bonmati (68’), Phyong Hwa (98’)
Stadium: National Football Stadium
Spain were a whisker away from advancing to the semi-finals in U20 Women's World Cup Papua New Guinea, and bounced back from a two-goal deficit in today's meeting with North Korea to take the game into extra-time. Pedro López's team showed faith and determination in over two hours of football in Port Moresby and can return home with their heads held high after putting in an excellent tournament.
Set-piece specialists
La Rojita managed to stand up to a well organzied North Korea who made few mistakes and who were highly effective from dead-ball strategies. The East Asians were ahead on 18 minutes when Ju Hyo Sun met Jon So Yon's corner to send a header past past Mariasun. Just 12 minutes later they doubled their lead when Ri Hyang Sim raced onto a clearance to dink the ball in over the keeper.
Spain retaliate
Nahikari García opened her account at the tournament on 38 minutes, clinically slotting in from a rebound. And another García, Lucía, hauled Spain back level on the hour capitalizing on another rebound in the box. With the score at 2-2 on 90 minutes, the game went into extra-time and just like in the first half, North Korea laid seige on the Spanish goal. The winner came on 106 minutes when Kim Phyong Hwa's shot somehow evaded everyone in a cogested box and left the net bulging. Spain tried to get back on level terms and debutant Laura Domínguez almost grabbed an equaliser but it wasn't to be, and the dreams of an unprecedented generation of footballers came to an end.