Ahead of the clash between the Young Lions and La Rojita, Goal tells you everything you need to know about the 52nd match of the 2017 edition of FIFA U-17 World Cup.
TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM
In India, the telecast of the match will be available on the Sony Ten network. Also, the game can be streamed live online using SonyLIV App.
SQUADS
ROUTE TO FINALE
England, led by Steve Cooper, started their U-17 World Cup journey this year in Kolkata. Drawn in Group F, the Young Lions won all their group phase matches beating Chile 4-0 in the opening match followed by a 3-2 win against Mexico and 4-0 result against Asian heavyweights Iraq. This smooth run was tested in the round of 16 where they went neck to neck against Japan. The English boys survived the pre-quarter clash on penalties as they struck five goals in reply to East Asian boys’ three.
Rhian Brewster scored consecutive hat-tricks in the quarter-final and semi-final as the English side got the better of USA (4-1) and Brazil (3-1) in Goa and Kolkata respectively.
As for the Spaniards, it wasn’t a start coach Santiago Denia hoped for as La Roja fell prey to Brazil in their opening match. However, the young guns bounced back well and their improved performances saw them end second in Group D, thanks to victories over Niger and DPR Korea. In the pre-quarter round, Abel Ruiz’s 90th-minute strike from the penalty spot saw the Spanish army get the better of fellow Europeans France.
In the final eight, Spain eased past Iran 3-1 to set up a semi-final clash with mighty West Africans Mali in Navi Mumbai. On 25th October, Les Aiglonnets failed to break Spain and La Rojita comfortably booked a berth in the tournament’s grand finale.
Since the inception of FIFA U-17 World Cup, this is the first time ever that two Europeans are going to battle it out for the championship in the finale. It is also going to be a recap of the 2017 UEFA European Under-17 Championship final which saw Spain conquer the title on penalties. Will history repeat?
