Japan wins Women’s World cup 2018

Hinata Miyazawa, Saori Takarada and Fuka Nagano scored to give Japan a 3-1 win over Spain in the U20 Women’s World Cup final.

Japan now hold the trifecta of Women’s World Cups – at U17, U20, and senior level.

Spain dominated possession in the first half but failed to make that advantage count, with Candela Andujar shooting just wide ten minutes before half-time.

Then with 38 minutes gone, Japan took the lead, with a beautiful curling effort from the edge of the box courtesy of Hinata Miyazawa.

Jun Endo had the chance to double the score from close range in the 43rd minute, but goalkeeper Cata was at full stretch to tip the ball over the bar.

It was Saori Takarada who added the second in the 57th minute, sending her right-footed shot low into the far corner.

Having claimed control of the contest, the Japanese looked more confident with their play. That best summed up their third goal on 65 minutes. Takarada turned supplier for Fuka Nagano on the right of the Spain box. Her superb first-time shot flew over Coll and into the net.

There was a reply from Pedro Lopez’s side, however, Candela Andujar pulled a goal back on 71 minutes for Spain before Stambaugh tipped Claudia Pina’s shot on to the crossbar two minutes later.

That was as far as the Spanish comeback efforts would reach, as Japan added to last year’s Asian U-19 title with a maiden world crown in this age category.