End of the match for New Zealand at the Under-17 Women's World Cup with a semi-final defeat against Spain

It's good to be disappointed, said New Zealand coach Leon Birnie to his full-time players.

The Young Football Ferns have made history by joining the semi-finals of the Fifa Women's Under-17 World Cup. But they were unable to continue the race of their dreams, bowing 2-0 to Spain, champion of Europe, in a soggy Estadio Charrua in Montevideo, Thursday (NZT).

Spain has hit both sides of the halftime. Captain Claudia Pina scored in the 39th minute and Irene Lopez in the 48th.

Birnie said that he had mixed feelings when he delivered his post-game speech in front of his players.

READ MORE:
* Three of the best teenagers in the world
* NZ wants to challenge outsider title
* Football ferns easily win
* Defender under 17 fears exit

"I am obviously disappointed that we are out of the tournament, we had the opportunity to do something really special and go to the finals, but in the same sentence, I am really proud of the girls," she said. he declared.

"Spain is a very good team and we went, especially in the first half, we kept them in their half for long periods, we hit the crossbar and created a few half-chances."

"I felt that we had dropped that first goal and that once the second half was over, we had a long way to go."

Pina's goal was a cruel blow to the New Zealand team, who had defended stoically throughout the early stages of the match.

They were desperate not to concede before. But after failing to clear the ball of danger when a deflected shot was dragged by the flag corner, the brilliant Spanish right winger Eva Navarro managed to regain possession of the ball and send a dangerous center.

Although Hannah Mackay-Wright got a good head shot, she headed straight for Pina, who calmly scored her fifth goal of the tournament, unleashing raucous celebrations from her teammates.

"It was probably the first time in the tournament that I can say we pulled out, and that was not the best time in the semifinals, but it happens," he said. "They went out and we were punished, that's what the semi-finals are: little moments in the games."

At 1-0, New Zealand was still in the fight and created a half-chance. But they were on the ropes, hooked to their survival, when Lopez opened the scoring to goalkeeper Anna Leat on the fly just two minutes into the second half.

All of New Zealand's goals against Finland, Uruguay and Japan were scored in the first half of these matches. It was as early against Spain as they created their best opportunities. Gabi Rennie also fired Catalina Coll and Macey Fraser slamming The crossbar and Kelli Brown daringly struck a long-range shot just past the goal.

Rennie was the main threat to New Zealand. She used her speed effectively on the right, while substitute Ayla Pratt forced a great stop on Coll as she found herself face to face with the keeper a few moments after her introduction.

New Zealand had five shots against four Spaniards, but they failed to match the winning quality of their coveted opponents, who are now on the verge of winning their first Women's Under-16 World Cup. 17 years.

"It was one of those games where we did not take our chances and their first goal, we went out, their second goal was a great shot, they took their chances and that's the difference in half. final."

New Zealand will now face Canada in the playoffs for third place Sunday morning (NZT).

From an eye catch

Spain 2 (Claudia Pina 39, Irene Lopez 48 ") New Zealand 0. HT: 1-0