Holders Spain too good for Iceland

Spain are a step closer to retaining their UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship crown after a convincing 4-0 win against Iceland in Nyon.

Spain dominated from the off against the finals debutants and were ahead on 12 minutes through Marina García's effort. Alexia Putellas swiftly added two more before the interval, with La Rojita's superiority underlined in the second half thanks to a Glódís Perla Viggosdóttir own goal.

Iceland had looked to be dealing comfortably with Spain's early attacking intent but after Alba Pomares had threatened in the ninth minute with a well-executed volley, Spain fired another warning signal a minute later, with the ball striking a post after a corner was swung in from the right.

A goal looked on the cards for Jorge Vilda's charges and it duly arrived when García took advantage of some lax defending to skilfully fire past Iceland goalkeeper Arna Lind Kristinsdóttir from the edge of the penalty area.

Iceland almost got a foothold in the game when Sigrídur Lára Gardarsdótti played in Gudmunda Brynja Óladóttir down the left, but the danger was calmly snuffed out by Spain keeper Noelia Gil, the first time she had been called upon. A minute later Óladóttir's long-range free kick was well-claimed by the Spanish custodian.

Such respite was short-lived for Thorlákur Árnason's side, though, with Spain swiftly resuming their search for a second. Although Kristinsdóttir had done excellently to keep out a Pomares effort in the 23rd minute and an Ivana Andrés header soon after, Spain doubled their lead six minutes before half-time when Raquel Carreño picked out Pomares, who cleverly took the ball down for Putellas to stab in.

Spain added a third two minutes later when their No11 displayed her set-piece prowess with a beautifully curling free-kick from 20 metres which outfoxed Kristinsdóttir.

Spain continued to control the game after the break, Barea firing into the side netting when their first notable opening of the half arrived in the 57th minute. Substitute Silvia Pereira saw her speculative effort fly over before the scoring was completed in the 67th minute, Viggosdóttir inadvertently turning into her own net after Kristinsdóttir failed to deal with an attempt from the outstanding Pomares.