Navi Mumbai: European champions Spain staved off a battling Mali to emerge 3-1 winners in a rip-roaring, action-packed semifinal contest to enter the summit clash of the FIFA U-17 World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium, here Wednesday.
Spain scored twice in the first half, both the goals coming from their ebullient striker Abel Ruiz, and added one more through a headed goal by Ferran Torres to take a commanding 3-0 lead before Mali found the mark for the first and only time through their own top goal-getter Lassana N’Diaye in the 74th minute.
By virtue of this win, Spain entered the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fourth time and their first appearance in the title clash since 2007.
Spain were the dominant force in the entire first half. They took the lead when Ruiz converted from the spot in the 19th minute. He got his second with a solo run, just a minute before the breather.
Spain clearly had the better share of the exchanges too and could have been 4-0 up but for an early brilliant save by Mali custodian Youssouf Koita and then a missed chance by Ruiz who took his tally to six goals in the tournament.
Mali had their best chance of the first half in the eighth minute when Ndiaye with only the opposition goalkeeper to beat, failed to get a touch.
