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Spain are through to the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup courtesy of a hard-fought 3-1 win over Mali. The battle between the African and the European champions turned out to be an enticing one with Spain rushing into a 2-0 lead at halftime despite Mali leading the charge in the attack.
Abel Ruiz scored a first-half brace whereas Ferran Torres trebled the lead with a header in the second interval. Ghana lessened the deficit through Lassana N'Diaye but could not mount a late comeback to reach a second consecutive FIFA U17 World Cup final. On that note, let's take a look at the 5 talking points from the second semifinal which had some feisty action along with the biggest controversy of the tournament:
#1 Abel Ruiz's excellent first-half display
Mali were dominating at times in the first half reducing Spain to possession without incision. But a change in tactics for La Roja meant Spain were suddenly looking to play on the counter and voila, it paid huge dividends. Chances began to flow courtesy of which Spain scored two, both by their captain - Abel Ruiz.
With this brace, Ruiz took his tally to six in the tournament. Just one shy of the current golden boot holder, Rhian Brewster. Mali opted a high line which meant that Ruiz played on the shoulders of the last defender to drag him wide and get the best of the wide spaces. His first was from a spot kick while the second was a side-footed finish into the bottom corner. Ruiz has been leading this Spain U17 side from the front with his goalscoring antics and in the semifinal, he produced a highly clinical performance.
#2 The goal that WAS
A moment in the second half became the biggest issue of the match and the World Cup as Mali were denied a goal despite it being clearly crossing the line. A 61st-minute shot from Oumar Doucoure hit the crossbar and then crossed the goal line but the referee failed to spot that and decided to play on.
The replays on the big screen made the entire Mali bench to go berserk in which their assistant coach also received a booking for dissent. The match was at a critical situation at that point with Spain leading 2-0 but under incessant pressure from the Malians. That goal literally could have changed the game! Sadly for Mali, it wasn't meant to be.
#3 Mali left to rue their chances
29 shots. Yes, Mali had 29 attempts on the Spanish goal. Yet just a solitary goal to show for it at the end! The Malians arrived in this game as the second highest scorers in the tournament. They had played some of the best football in the competition with their forward line being fearless when bursting forward.
In a semifinal game, you need to have different approaches to target the opponents. Mali had just one. Their players looked to take on the Spanish defenders every single time and attempted far too many dribbles. Mali also failed to utilize the width of the field with the majority of their attacks coming through the middle. Mali lacked a clear approach in their biggest game of the tournament which ultimately boils down to the effectivity of the coaching staff and the manager.
#4 Why was the goal line technology/VAR not used by FIFA at this World Cup?
At the biggest of events, one expects FIFA to be completely ready and make full use of the technology available at hand. The ghost goal controversy in the Spain-Mali game brought the governing body into the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Though both the managers opted not to speak about it, the likes of Baichung Bhutia and David Moyes criticized the organizers for the lack of goal-line technology.
Bhutia said, "It's disappointing to see FIFA not having video technology for the U17 World Cup," whereas David Moyes reflected, "At the World Cup, you expect it to be there (Video technology)." A game of football should be decided by the players on the field and not by the match officials or the organizing body. The result could have been very much different if Mali had been rightfully given THAT goal in the 61st minute.
#5 The return of the traditional no9
This World Cup has seen the trend of traditional, poaching no9s rule the roost in the scoring charts. The likes of Abel Ruiz, Jann-Fiete Arp, Rhian Brewster and Lassana N'Diaye have made the importance of traditional strikers being regained at the biggest of stages.
In an era of false nines and inward wingers, this trait of these young boys is heartening to see. Will it bring back the era of traditional, old school strikers is there to be seen but the likes of Ruiz and Brewster certainly look like the real deal! Special mention to Ruiz who, with his tucked in shirt and playing in the shadow of the last defender, brought back memories of the yesteryear strikers.
