Kochi: European powerhouse Spain bounced back from their opening loss in style and notched up a 4-0 victory over Niger in a Group ‘D’ match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup here on Tuesday. The reigning European champions suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of South American giants Brazil in their opening encounter last Saturday, but recovered swiftly to open their account in the tournament.
Spain was up 1-0 when Abel Ruiz’s tap-in found the back of the net in the 21st minute. Ruiz was at the right place and easily converted Juan Miranda’s cross from the left flank, leaving the Nigerian defence napping. While Niger would not have been happy with that shoddy piece of defending, the Spanish looked raring to go and stamped their authority.
Spain doubled the lead just before the half time, and again it was Ruiz, who was in the thick of things as the Barcelona youth player scored off a Sergio Gomez free-kick in the 41st minute. Niger’s agony did not end there as Spain added one more goal in the first-half injury time through Cesar. Ruiz’s attempt was palmed away by the goalkeeper and Gomez sent in a curling cross towards the ball and even before the keeper could make a clearance, Cesar placed it in the roof of the net.
The second half began on better note for the Africans as went without conceding till Gomez hit the target in the 82nd minute. The Niger goalkeeper had no chance against Gomez’s left-footer from outside the box. Gomez’s strike completed a rout that put Spain firmly in contention for a knockout berth from the group. Debutants Niger, last Saturday, defeated North Korea 1-0 to register their maiden FIFA World Cup win in their maiden appearance.
Guinea hold Costa Rica 2-2
Goalkeeper Ricardo Montenegro’s heroic effort under the bar helped Costa Rica hold Guinea to a 2-2 draw in a Group ‘C’ match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup here on Tuesday.
