Daniela Porcelli/Sports Press Photo/IMAGO
Made everything clear at the break: The Spanish U20 selection after their World Cup triumph (28.8.2022)
The tenth women’s U20 World Cup ended in Costa Rica on Sunday after almost three weeks. A total of 86 games were played in the capital San José and in Alajuela (Conurbano). Japan was the defending champion. The other title holders to date have been USA and Germany (three) and North Korea (two).
Originally, the Campeonat was to be organized together with Panama and also already in 2020. A pandemic intervened and caused hectic and dirty goings-on at the FIFA headquarters on Spritzensee in Zurich. Already qualified countries should re-qualify. Panama fell by the wayside, with Canada catching up. UEFA took another step and selected their participants based on the coefficient ranking. The two-time world champion North Korea ultimately canceled participation, for which the Asian Football Association AFC sent Australia to the World Cup. Four of the 16 participants have been represented at every World Cup so far. In addition to the USA and Germany, two-time runners-up Nigeria and Brazil, whose best performance so far was third place at the 2006 Russia World Cup.
The top two in each group qualified for the Quarterfinals. The hosts, coached by Venezuelan José Catoya, were hoping to make it through the group stage for the first time in their third appearance at the World Cup. Well, willing is not yet able. There was actually no reason for too much confidence, because in the same group were also vice world champions Spain and South American champions Brazil. It’s called a group of death. “La Sele” learned the hard way. After all, they managed a goal in the opening defeat against Australia. The only thing, because the other matches went 0:5 in the pants. Meanwhile, Spain and Brazil went on without conceding.
The World Cup opening game was played by Germany and Colombia. Kathrin Peter’s elves would have been well advised if they had carefully studied my contribution to the women’s Copa América in this newspaper. There I praised the 17-year-old Linda Caicedo beyond words and gave her a career as a world star. Germany lost the game in front of 1,158 spectators to a goal by Mariana Muñoz and Linda Caicedo was named MVP. The Peter women simply hadn’t been on their radar. The German women won the following match against New Zealand 3-0 and they had match point against Mexico. Even a draw would have been enough. However, after an hour they conceded the only goal of the game by Villanueva and were allowed to pack their bags.
The French were caught in the first game by the Falconets, Nigeria’s squad coached by Christopher Danjuma Musa. Sabastine scored the only goal five minutes before the end. France also received their match point and Esther Mbakem-Niaro finally scored the golden goal in the decisive game against South Korea. Canada lost all games.
The USA were the big disappointment of the World Cup alongside the Germans, they only won one game. Japan conceded just one goal and the Netherlands also qualified for the quarter-finals of only their second World Cup, where the Jeugd vrouwen then sensationally eliminated the Falconets. Mexico lost to Spain and Colombia to Brazil (0-1 each) in front of almost 8,000 spectators. In the best game of the Copa, Japan beat France. The score was 3-3 after extra time and France missed the first penalty shoot-out, while Futoshi Ikeda’s gang of girls didn’t show any weakness.
In the semis, the Dutch ended up against Spain (1-2), mainly because the Rojita have a futbolista from another planet in Inma Gabarro. Brazil collapsed shortly before closing time against Japan (1:2), a drama.
But in the match for third place (16,000 spectators) against the Netherlands, Jonas Urias’ Canarinha shone and jumped onto the podium of the competition. At the break it was still 1:1. After an hour, Tarciane made it 2-1 with a chilena (overhead kick), 20 minutes later she scored the decision with a penalty to make it 4-1. Tarciane was subsequently awarded the Bronze Soccer Ball of the Tournament.
The final was a repeat of France 2018. Spain were already leading 3-0 at the break against Japan in front of 30,000 spectators (final score 3-1). The Golden Ball went to Maika Hamano (Japan), the Golden Boot to Inma Gabarro (eight goals, most successful goal scorer since Alexandra Popp 2010), the Golden Glove went to the only 17-year-old Spanish world champion Txell Font (only two goals conceded). The fair play award went to Japan. On average, the games were watched by 5,500 spectators, the goal average was 2.7 per match.
