FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.09.2007 15:14

Nigeria win Under 17 World Cup

Jesús Carrillo

Nigeria beat Spain on penalties in the final of the Under 17 World Cup. Three Barça players, Iago, Álex and David González appeared in the game, but the suspended Bojan did not.

Iago Falqué, Álex Bolaños and David González were in the side that missed out on the trophy in Sunday’s final of the competition being played in Korea. After the game ended goalless, Spain missed all their penalties in the shootout to lose 3-0. Iago played the whole match while Álex Bolaños and David González came on in the second half.

Constant action

The lack of goals was not for want of trying, as both time lunged forwards in search of goals in what proved to be a highly entertaining encounter. The best chances, however, came in extra time.

Nigeria almost scored in the first half of extra time with a long range strike that landed on the Spanish crossbar. A solo run from Iago in the dying seconds led to a similarly long effort, which Nigerian keeper Ajibowi was able to turn over the bar for a corner.

Penalties

Nigeria scored every one of the penalties, and Spain missed theirs. Illara sent the first kick wide, and former Barça player Fran Mérida’s shot was saved by Ajiboya as was Iago’s penalty moments later.