This is it! Big fight for the Cup

Kolkata, October 27

A riveting contest is on the cards as England and Spain lock horns in the first-ever all-European summit clash of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup here tomorrow. Both England and Spain will be seeking their maiden title in front of the packed Salt Lake Stadium. While England are playing in their maiden final in their fourth appearance, Spain have lost the final on three occasions, in 1991, 2003 and 2007.

It will be a repeat of the European U-17 Championship match in Croatia in May this year —  Spain had emerged winners through a penalty shootout after a 2-2 stalemate in the regulation time. A win for England will cap an unprecedented year for them as their Under-20 team won the World Cup in Korea earlier this year, and their Under-19 side are the European champions.

Record-breaking tournament 

In its bid to wake up a “sleeping giant”, FIFA had allotted the U-17 World Cup to India in December 2013. And the India chapter of the tournament is turning out to be record breaking in terms of spectator attendance and number of goals. In the 50 matches played in the tournament so far, the total number of spectators is an impressive 1,224,027, just 6949 less than the record attendance of 1,230,976 logged in the first edition of the tournament in China in 1985. With the Kolkata crowd expected to turn up in large numbers for the third-place playoff between Brazil and Mali and the final, this tournament is set to become the most attended FIFA U-17 or U-20 tournament. The India edition is also set to become the highest scoring tournament with 170 goals already scored from 50 matches, just two goals less than the earlier highest of 172 at the 2013 edition in the United Arab Emirates. With three more goals from the remaining two matches, this edition will have the best goal average since the format was changed in 2007 to a 24-team affair from the earlier 16-team participation.

Tough to choose 

On form, there is very little to differentiate between the two sides, though England may start as slight favourites after shocking pre-tournament favourites Brazil in the semifinals. Having played their all but one of the six matches at the Salt Lake Stadium, they will be more familiar with the setting for the summit clash. Also, England are the only unbeaten side in the tournament, while Spain had lost to Brazil in their campaign-opener. England’s only blemish has been their inability to beat Japan in the regulation time in the pre-quarterfinals, though they won in a penalty shootout.

Spain and England have met three times in the final of European U-17 Championships. While Spain triumphed in 2007, the Three Lions took their revenge three years later. The Spaniards once more emerged victorious in May, but only after a nail-biting climax. Both sides tend to hold the ball for long phases but Spain, famous for their tika-taka style, are likely to enjoy better possession. 

Individual battles 

There will also be some individual battles to fight between star England striker Rhian Brewster and Spain’s captain Abel Ruiz. Brewster, who sent Brazil packing with his second hat-trick of the tournament, and Ruiz, whose double strike against Mali sealed a summit clash spot for Spain, have scored seven and six goals, respectively, and are in the running for the Golden Boot Award.

England are expected to play their tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation with Curtis Anderson between the poles. Spain, packed with players from the famous academies of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, started with a 4-3-3 formation against Brazil and continued it till the pre-quarterfinal match against France. But coach Santiago Deni later changed it to 4-2-3-1 formation — the same as England — in the quarterfinals and semifinals. — PTI

Top shots 

England

England’s tally of 18 goals from six games is the highest in the tournament. Their 17-year-old striker Rhian Brewster scored two hat-tricks (against the US in the quarterfinals and Brazil in the semis). The forward is on course to finish as the tournament’s top scorer with a total of seven goals so far.

Spain

Spain’s 17-year-old Abel Ruiz has scored six goals and assisted in three goals. He had won the Silver Boot in the 2016 European U-17 Championship, despite being a year younger than most of his opponents. 

"Our long term aim is to win World Cup and European Championship at the senior level. If these boys can keep playing the way they are, regardless of what happens tomorrow, for the long term, we think we will have half a chance of achieving our aims"

Steve Cooper, England Coach 

We have had several good former players who have not been able to win it but we have a chance tomorrow. We are motivated, and are looking for the answers, to find the best way of playing  

Santi Denia, Spain Coach