Spain advances to the semifinals of the U-20 World Cup by beating Mexico

MADRID, 21 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish team beat Mexico by the minimum (1-0) in the quarterfinals of the U-20 World Cup, a hard-fought victory that allows it to go through to the semifinals and thus fight for the medals of the world event.

The Spanish talent and quality prevailed over the great Mexican work in a match at the National Stadium in San José. An imposing scene of Costa Rican soccer that showed the best version of the national team when they started dominating the match. In fact, Inma Gabarro, the protagonist of the afternoon, alerted the rivals with the first chance.

At 20 minutes, the referee Yujeong Kim indicated a penalty for a brush by Silvia Lloris to a rival in the area. So light was it that, after the VAR review, the game continued as if nothing had happened. Thus, those of Pedro López reacted to that wake-up call twice.

First with a shot by Clara Pinedo from the edge of the box and then with a corner kick that brought danger to Celeste Espina's goal. But the goalkeeper was ultimately unable to prevent Inma Gabarro's fifth goal in the competition.

The Spanish number '9' finished off a great play by Fianma Benítez and Salma Paralluelo, who masterfully assisted the Sevillian striker to put her team ahead on the scoreboard. A solitary thing that allowed Spain to dream of going to the semifinals.

Spain was very close to expanding the distance on the scoreboard with a very complicated volley that went parallel to the goal line. Immediately afterwards, Salma sniffed out the goal with a left-footed shot that the defense took out when the trajectory indicated that it was going inside.

However, the Mexicans did not give up and were close to overcoming with two crossbars in a row in the last moments of the first act. Already in the second half, the post this time deprived the Spanish of a respite, so the tension revived the match until the final minutes, where the Central American team enjoyed opportunities to draw the score.

A battle that validated Inma Gabarro's goal to certify passage to the semifinals of the World Championship and allow the team to dream in the final phase of the competition in Costa Rica.