By Victor Kanayo
Spanish U20 Women team early on Monday morning (Nigerian time) beat Japan 3-1 to win the 2022 FIFA U20 Women World Cup in Costa Rica.
The Spaniards had what appeared as a sweet revenge on their Japanese counterparts reversing the 2018 defeat to shock the Asian champions, just the way they were beaten in the last edition to lift the World Cup.
Super scorer Inma Gabarro of Spain got away with the Golden Shoe for highest scorer with eight goals as she opened scoring for the night in the 12th minute.
Spain settled the defeat of Japan in the first half as Parallueto Ayingono scored 22nd minute and tucked in a penalty at 27th minute.
Japan got their consolation goal through Amano in the 47th minute.
The night favoured Japan statistically but the glory went to Spain as Japan had 58% to 42% ball possession; got 546 to 409 passes indicating they dominated the match; with six to two corner kicks.
New champions, Spain had beaten Mexico 1-0 in the quarter final and Nigeria’s conquerors Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-final.
Japan got a lucky win over France in the quarter-final via penalty shootout 5-3 after 3-3 at full time and edged out the Samba girls of Brazil who eventually won the Bronze 2-1 in the semi-final.
Brazil managed a slim 1-0 victory over Columbia in the quarter-final before losing to defending Champions, Japan in the semis 1-2.
Netherlands thrashed flamboyant Falconets of Nigeria 2-0 in the quarter final before falling to the Spanish girls 2-1 in the semis.
Nigerian youngster Esther Onyenezide finished joint-third on the goalscorer chart with three goals.
The teenage attacking midfielder fell behind tournament top goalscorer and Japan’s Maika Hamano with four goals.
Nigeria have never won the U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The Falconets had finished as runners-up twice, in 2010 and 2014.
