Holders France will play Spain on Sunday in a repeat of last year’s Euro U-19 final, with the game live on Eurosport from Windsor Park, Belfast (ko 7.30pm).
Spain, runners up in the last three U-19 Euros, made a fourth straight final when defeating the Netherlands 3-2.
Lucia García broke the deadlock 2 minutes into the second half but Victoria Pelova swiftly replied for the Dutch.
Patricia Guijarro set up Maite Oroz to restore the advantage midway through the second half, before heading home Spain’s decisive third goal herself, with Joelle Smits pulling a goal back on 85 minutes.
In the second of Thursday’s semi-finals at Windsor Park in Belfast, France came from behind to defeat Germany 2-1.
Although Germany have been champions six times, they have not won the trophy since 2011 and their interval lead proved to be insufficient.
Klara Bühl was set up by Anna Gerhardt to open the scoring 5 minutes before the break but with 20 minutes to go, substitute Julie Thibaud equalised.
Just 3 minutes later and the French had turned the game in their favour, Emelyne Laurent netting via the upright.
France and Spain will be joined in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup by Germany, the Netherlands and England, who beat Scotland 2-0 in Thursday’s play-off in Lurgan. The tournament runs from 7–26 August 2018 in the Brittany region of France.
Photo – irishfa.com
