Spain will contest its third consecutive U20 women’s world championship final after a remarkable 11–9 comeback win against Greece in Salvador. They will face the United States of America, who edged past Italy in a penalty shootout, on Saturday.
A familiar stage
Spain has been a constant presence in recent U20 finals, winning in 2021 and finishing runners-up in 2023. This time, they were pushed to the limit by Greece but found their rhythm when it mattered most, turning a five-goal deficit into a thrilling victory.
For USA, a shootout triumph over Italy (13–11 after penalties, 9–9 FT) means they remain on course for a record-extending fifth U20 women’s crown.
Semifinals – Medal Round
Spain 11–9 Greece
(0–3, 3–4, 3–0, 5–2)
Spain’s route to the final looked doomed midway through the second quarter. Greece, powered by senior international Foteini Tricha and a dominant counter-attack game, stormed into a 6–1 lead. Isabel Piralkova, Spain’s Olympic champion and inspirational leader, started the turnaround with back-to-back goals, but at half-time Greece still looked comfortable at 7–3.
The shift came in the third quarter. Spain’s defence tightened, their goalkeepers came up with big stops, and goals from Piralkova, Queralt Antón and Carlota Peñalver dragged them back into contention. At the final break, Greece’s lead had been cut to just one.
The final quarter belonged to Spain. Irene Casado equalised within seconds, and although Ariadni Karampetsou briefly restored Greece’s advantage, Antón, captain Alba Muñoz and Rita Gurri fired Spain ahead. Piralkova completed her five-goal haul from the penalty line to seal a comeback for the ages.
Match heroes: Piralkova (5 goals), Alba Muñoz (captain’s influence), and a combined 13 saves from the Spanish keepers. For Greece, Krassa, Fouraki, Tricha and Karampetsou each scored twice, with Nikoleta Kyriakopoulou making nine saves.
Turning point: From 6–1 down to 11–8 up — a swing few teams in history could have pulled off.
USA 13–11 Italy (after penalties, FT 9–9, Pens 4–2)
If Spain’s win was about resilience, USA’s was about holding nerve. Twice the Americans went two goals clear in the second half, only for Italy to claw their way back with late penalties. A last-minute equaliser from Beatrice Cassarà forced the shootout.
In the tie-breaker, USA were clinical. Emily Ausmus, already with four goals in normal time, led the way alongside Lily Palma, while goalkeeper Christine Carpenter added to her 12 saves with a spectacular performance under pressure. Meghan McAninch, who had missed in an earlier shootout this week, buried the decisive penalty to send USA into the final.
Match heroes: Ausmus (4 goals), Carpenter (12 saves and a goal of her own), Palma (2 goals). For Italy, Cassarà and Malluzzo stood out with three goals each.
Turning point: Carpenter’s audacious buzzer-beater goal from her own half in the second quarter and the Americans’ composure in the penalty shootout.
Classification Round Highlights
- Hungary 19–8 Brazil – Zoe Lendvay and Kata Hajdu shared ten goals as Hungary powered through, shaking off quarterfinal disappointment.
- Netherlands 13–7 Croatia – Dutch goalkeeper Caitlin van Leeuwen produced a tournament-high 17 saves to keep Croatia at bay.
- Australia 12–8 China – Australia repeated their group-stage win to finish ninth overall, led by Bless Daly’s hat-trick.
- New Zealand 11–10 Israel – A fourth-quarter surge earned the Kiwis 11th place, overturning a 9–7 deficit.
- South Africa 15–8 Mexico – A first win secured 15th spot for South Africa, with Morgan Christian and Hannah Banks in form.
- Canada 19–8 Argentina – Canada’s second-quarter blitz ensured a 13th-place finish, with Brooklyn Plomp netting five.
Saturday Finals Schedule
- 7–8th Place: Croatia v Brazil – 10:00
- 5–6th Place: Netherlands v Hungary – 11:30
- Bronze Medal: Italy v Greece – 13:00
- Gold Medal: United States of America v Spain – 14:30
Spain’s comeback against Greece will live long in the memory, but the job isn’t finished. With USA also peaking at the right time, Saturday’s final promises to be a heavyweight clash between the most consistent junior programmes in the world.
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