Italian U20 Women’s Football team was Wednesday in Poland prevented from their first historic final as La Roja Babes of Spain gave them a 2-0 spinning dose in the first semifinal of the 12th tournament.
Italy as predicted by Patmos Media Line preview was no match for Spain who could have beaten them silly but for the Italian Goalkeeper, Ellena Belli who saved 7 vital chances of Spain but because the pressure was too much on her, she conceded an own goal for Spain’s first goal in the 40th minute.
Alba Cerrato had scored a goal for Spain cancelled by VAR in the 33rd minute before Daniella Agote found Pau Comendador to score the 2nd goal for Spain in the 56th minute.
2026U20WWorldCup: La Roja Babes Of Spain Will Spin Out Italy on Wednesday Semifinal Clash.
2026U20WWorldCup: Samba Dance Stopped As Spain Pip Brazil 1-0 in Quarterfinal.
2026U20WWorldCup: France Sends Ghana Back to Accra 4-0.
Stats showed Italy survived an embarrassing outing as Spain spinned 570-268 passes, held ball possession by 69-31%; had 26-3 shots at goal with 8-2 shots on target. The corner kicks were 6-1 advantage Spain while Italy had 16-10 foul calls.
Italy will meet the loser of the North Korea versus Columbia clash on Saturday at 5pm in a battle for Bronze while Spain is on standby for their 3rd appearances at the grand finale. They won in 2022 and were runners up in 2018.
Both teams met twice in 2009 which is 17 years ago. On 4th July Spain won 2-1 and on 5th October Italy won 3-1. Football has changed now and a grace of 120 minutes is ahead of Spain to prove superiority but that may be done with in 90 minutes depending on the coaches, players and the bench.
Unfortunately Italy appearing at the mundial for the 3rd time has never gone beyond the group stages falling in 2004 and 2013. Spain has been to the mundial 5 times from which they won the title in 2022; were runners up in 2018 and quarterfinalists in 2016 and at the last competition in 2024. Will experience count?
The 2nd Semifinal between three times Champions, North Korea and Columbia is at 5:30pm this evening.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
#FIFA #2026U20WWORLDCUP
#AFC #CAF #CONCACAF
#CONMEBOL #EUFA #IFF
#RSFF #NFF.
