Spain sealed a fourth final appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup as it survived a spirited Mali fightback in the second half with help from forwards Abel Ruiz (two first-half goals), Ferran Torres (one) and the absence of goalline technology.
The 3-1 semifinal victory at a packed D.Y. Patil stadium took the red shirts from Europe one match away from their first U-17 title in eight tournament appearances.
The yellow shirts from Africa, chasing a second consecutive final, ended up rattling the European teenagers with their marauding ways without being able to hurt them.
Spain, adopting a 4-2-4 formation with Ruiz, Torres, Sergio Gomez & Cesar Gilabert on the prowl, was dominant in the first half and switched tactics to crowd out Mali when the situation demanded a change in approach in the second half.
Ruiz scored the best goal, a placement on the run to the right post. Cheick Doucoure’s stunning volley was a fantastic effort, but for Mali the dream of a victory remained a mirage.
Walking off at half-time two goals in deficit, Mali came out firing. Spain defended in numbers, at times nine red shirts covering up for each other around the box. Doucoure defied the close marking with a swift surge and right-footed volley in the 62nd minute. Hit off the out-step, the ball swerved beyond goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez’s reach, struck the crossbar, bounced in and out.
The giant television screens flashed Doucoure’s attempt in slow motion, with the ball bouncing in seen by everyone on the Mali bench. The linesman, however, had missed it in open play. With no goalline technology in use, no television reviews and with referee Ryuji Sato focused on keeping play going, the Africans were denied a goal.
Lassana Ndiaye made amends with a left-footed placement, only to see the red shirts swell the lead with a snap downward header by a leaping Ferran Torres at the far post.
A roar went up in the stands behind the Mali goal at kick-off. Youssouf Koira was thrust into action in the second minute, forced to come off the line to hustle Sergio Gomez who was poised to fire. The latter watched in dismay as his firm shot went off the goalkeeper’s gloves and onto the crossbar.
The credit for the first look at Mali’s goal went to Ruiz, who raced down the right flank, rode a tackle and pulled the ball back and across the goalmouth.
Gelabert created anxiety in the Mali goalmouth with tricky movements. He was tripped twice — the second time in the 18th minute resulting in a penalty for a foul by Abdoulaye Diaby. Ruiz beat Koita with a right-footer, as the goalkeeper dived the other way.
Mali had been hunting for goals from the start, Lassana Ndiaye got close but his weak shot was saved. The yellow shirts racked up pressure and got a free-kick, but wasted chances twice.
Mali’s anxiety to somehow draw level reflected in shots at the slightest opportunity. Fode Konate flashed a long ranger wide, Ndiaye kept the defenders busy and a breathtaking breakaway move saw three players involved on the right only for Djemoussa Traore to shoot off the mark.
Meanwhile Spain’s movements were crisp and its passing slick. Gelabert and Ruiz teamed up to land the second blow in the 43rd, the former tapping the ball into space for his captain to complete the move with a classic finish.
The result: Spain 3 (Abel Ruiz 19 pen, 43, Ferran Torres 71) bt Mali 1 (Lassana Ndiaye 74).
