2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup: Quarter-Final 3 – Spain’s Passing Football beat Iran By 3-1
Oct 22, 2017 at 8:36 PM
Spain’s passing football beat Iran 3-1 in the third quarter-final of 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi).
Spain earned the 3-0 lead after Abel Ruiz (13’), Sergio Gomez (60′) and Ferran Torres (67′) scored once each. Iran’s only talking point was Saeid Karimi who reduced the trail for his team on 70 minutes, but that was not enough for Iran.
Spain played a dominating football in the whole game while Iran was never looking comfortable on the pitch.
After almost two-minute-long passing football, Spain earned a goal on 13 minutes. The passing football created a ball for Abel Ruiz whose first attempt was blocked by the opposing defender but the second attempt found the net.
Since that, Spain played controlled football in the first half and created some chances but failed to add the scoreline.
Spain had a good chance to extend their lead on 33 minutes. Initially, Iran goal-keeper Ali Gholam Zadeh failed to stop Ferran Torres’ cross which fell to Cesar Gelabert, but the Iranian goalie saved his shot.
In the second half, Spain was able to continue with the same attitude and added more goals to secure the game for them.
On the hour mark, Sergio Gomez made the scoreline 2-0 for Spain with a stunning long-range shot from 30-yard distance.
Spain got the 3-0 lead after Ferran Torres scored on 67 minutes. Mohamed Aiman Moukhliss’ cross found Torres who just tapped into an empty net.
Just 3 minutes later, Iran opened their scoreline. Allahyar Sayyad’s header found Saeid Karimi who gently netted from the very close range.
On 73 minutes, Abel Ruiz had a great chance to score his second goal, but he failed on that attempt. Iran goalie was unable to stop Juan Miranda’s cross that fell in the front of Ruiz, and he had an empty net, but his disappointing effort found the ball off target.
Iran was very close to scoring their second goal on 83 minutes. Sayyad raised a brilliant cross for Mohammad Sardari whose low effort was timely saved by Spanish goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez Dominguez.
Later, Spain and Iran both tried to add the scoreline, but they were unsuccessful.
It was the sixth occasion (1991, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2009 and 2017) when Spain reached the semi-final of U-17 FIFA World Cup. They will meet against Mali in the second semi-final of 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup that will be played on upcoming Wednesday at DY Patil Stadium (Navi Mumbai).