The 2011 world U17 champions, France Monday night humiliated several times world runners-up 6-1 in the 3rd quarterfinals setting up a possible clash with hosts Brazil if they can beat Italy in the 4th quarterfinals later tonight.
It was an avalanche of goals when Valera Karabinaite drew the first blood for Spain at 9′. If anything, Spain was thoroughly punished for each blunder they committed. The defense went to sleep four clear times.
In the night that France shinned like the constant Northern star with 8 of their players who are blacks, Kouassi scored 21′ to equalize. Other French scorers were M. Mbuku 36′; Isaac Lihadji 46′; Pembele 54′; Rutter 59′ and Aouchiche 90+3.
France made Spain look ordinary as they rode on their back to be presently highest goal scoring team with 17 goals which is 9 goals short of the standing record of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets achieved in 2013.
Spain had beaten Senegal 2-1 to get to the quarters while France drubbed Australia 4-0 .
Mexico advanced to the semis and will meet Nigeria’s conquerors, Netherlands in the first semifinals at 2030 hours on Thursday. Mexico narrowly beat Korea by a lone goal while Netherlands thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in their quarterfinal games.
France will meet winners of the Brazil v Italy encounter coming up at midnight on Monday in the second semifinals on Thursday also at midnight.
-ENIOLA OLATUNJI.
