Champions Spain edge out the Netherlands

UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship holders Spain made their way through to the second qualifying round – and left last season's fourth-placed side the Netherlands waiting to see if they would join them.

First qualifying round Group 4 hosts the Netherlands and Spain both won their opening two games against Belarus and Georgia, leaving them playing off for the one automatic spot in the 16 November draw. Spain, trailing on goal difference, had beaten the Netherlands 3-0 in the 2009/10 semi-finals in June; this time it was 1-0. That means Maria van Kortenhof's side must wait to see if they end up as one of the five runners-up across the ten groups with the best record against the teams first and third in their section.

Spain began the mini-tournament in fine style, Lorena Valderas scoring six times in a 13-0 defeat of Georgia which could have been more were it not for goalkeeper Tekle Gulordava. The Netherlands had a tougher task against Belarus, Nadia Coolen, Dominique Janssen and substitute Chelly Drost securing a 3-0 win.

The Netherlands went one better than Jorge Vilda's Spain side on Matchday 2, scoring after 40 seconds and racking up their first five in as many minutes against Georgia, eventually prevailing 14-0 with four from Kim Mourmans. Spain fell behind on goal difference, taking 57 minutes to break the deadlock versus Belarus before De Castro, with a free-kick from 20 metres out, and Laura Ortiz made it 2-0.

Belarus beat Georgia 2-0 for third place but the key game was between the top two. Spain had the better of the chances, a Miriam Infante corner early in the second half leading to a scramble in front of goal and a decisive De Castro finish.