Spain WU19s 6-0 Northern Ireland WU19s
GAIL Redmond’s NI U19s suffered a heavy defeat by holders Spain in their opening game of a four-team qualifying tournament in Murcia for the 2024-25 edition of the UEFA Women’s U19 European Championship.for the 2024-25 edition of the UEFA Women’s U19 European Championship.
Hosts Spain took the game to Northern Ireland from the start.
Northern Ireland goalkeeper Kate Smith comfortably gathered a shot from Spain attacker Daniela Agote before striker Marisa put a header wide and Smith saved a long range shot from Spanish defender Martina Gonzalez.
Midfielder Daniela Arques and Marisa once again were off target as Spain piled on the pressure.
Smith comfortably clutched an Agote shot and then gathered in a long range shot from Aiara Aguirrezabala, however the pressure eventually told on 38 minutes when Spain captain Cris Libran slipped the ball to forward Celia Segura and she clipped it into the top corner from the edge of the six-yard area.
Smith was called into action again shortly after when she held on to a Segura shot, while Agote steered an effort over the top.
Half-time: Spain WU19s 1-0 Northern Ireland WU19s
Spain extended their lead in the 50th minute when midfielder Arques fired a free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards.
It was 3-0 to the Spanish three minutes later. Gonzalez broke down the right and crossed the ball into the six-yard area. Marisa’s initial effort was pushed out by Smith, however the striker followed up to blast the ball home.
In the 62nd minute Spain made it 4-0. A Gonzalez free-kick was met by substitute Alba Cerrato at the back post. Her header was pushed out by Smith, however midfielder Lorena Cubo was on hand to stroke the loose ball into the net.
Cerrato then got her name on the scoresheet when she spun past her marker and drilled the ball into the net from 12 yards. Smith got a hand to it, however she could not keep it out.
The strong Spanish side had further chances, and Smith held on to a Cerrato snapshot, before they added a sixth deep into added time, Cerrato scoring with a powerful rising shot from an angle.
Matchday two will see Northern Ireland face Belgium at the Pinatar Arena on Saturday, November 30; 5.00pm kick-off UK time), while their final group game, against Iceland, is due to be played at the Pinatar Arena Football Centre on Tuesday, December 3; 11am kick-off UK time).
There are seven groups in League A. Sides finishing fourth are relegated to League B for round two of the qualifiers, with the other positions deciding League A seeding for the second round.
The seven group winners in League A round two will join hosts Poland in the 2025 finals next summer.
Full-time: Spain WU19s 6-0 Northern Ireland WU19s
Spain: Laia, Martina Gonzalez, Aiara Aguirrezabala, Emma Galvez, Lorena Cubo, Elene Gurtubay, Daniela Agote, Daniela Arques, Marisa, Cris Libran (captain), Celia Segura. Subs: (used) Clara Serrajordi, Alba Cerrato, Irune Dorado, Noa Ortega, Emma Moreno; (unused) Julia Arrula (GK), Claudia De La Cuerda, Noemi, Ainoa Gomez.
Northern Ireland: Kate Smith, Orleigha McGuinness, Sofie Keenan, Faye Loughran, Abi Sweetlove, Clodagh Maguire, Rachel McIntyre, Aimee Kerr (captain), Kascie Weir, Niamh Boothroyd, Gracie Conway. Subs: (used) Niamh O’Donnell, Sophie Kelly-Bradley, Rhianna Breen, Bernie Ferreira, Anastasija Stanyte; (unused) Cerys Sharkey (GK), Sophie Gargan, Darcie McNeill, Ellen Hampton.
