South American champions Argentina and European heavyweights Spain saw their intense FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™ showdown end in a 0-0 draw on Sunday evening at Estadio Kleber Andrade in Vitoria. Both sides demonstrated technical and tactical proficiency, looking equal on the pitch as well as the scoreboard.
Spanish goalkeeper Ivan Martinez was superb, making crucial interventions against a multi-pronged Argentina attack. Sixteen-year-old forward Pedri Gonzalez was the primary goal scoring threat for La Furia Roja, making clever runs in the second half only to be thwarted by the last Argentina defender.
La Albiceleste enjoyed a slight advantage in possession and outshot their opponents 16-8, with the offense flowing through midfielder Matias Palacios and forward Matias Godoy. Palacios saw an effort from inside the centre circle clang off the crossbar in the first half, nearly catching Martinez off his line and producing a goal for the ages.
