Spain on verge of final

By Luke Williams

Spain meet Argentina in Helsinki tonight with a place in the final of the FIFA World Under-17 Championship at stake.

Santisteban praise
After avenging their UEFA European Under-17 Championship final defeat by Portugal with a superb 5-2 quarter-final victory against the same opponents on Sunday, the Spanish are flying high and full of confidence. "We were the better team by far," reflected coach Juan Santisteban. "The players played as a team and enjoyed themselves on the pitch. More than anything, that is what stood out for me."

Historical omens
Ahead of tonight's semi-final the historical omens are slightly loaded in Spain's favour. The match is a repeat of the 1991 semi-final in the same competition. On that occasion, the Spanish won 1-0 in Massa, Italy - only to go and lose the final against Ghana.

Outstanding Spain
Surprisingly, that is the closest the Spanish, one of the world's top youth football nations, have come to lifting this trophy. No less remarkable is the fact the Argentinians have never even reached the final, despite three semi-final appearances - most recently in 2001 when they led eventual champions France only to succumb 2-1.

Form favours Argentina
If history favours Spain, recent form and defensive prowess is on the side of Argentina, who have won every match at this tournament without conceding a goal, having dismissed the challenges of Australia (2-0), Costa Rica (2-0) and Nigeria (1-0) in Group B before overcoming the Mexicans 2-0 in the quarter-finals.

Spain peaking
Spain have also been in fine form, though not nearly as parsimonious having leaked seven goals in four games and kept just one clean sheet. However, in their last two matches - a 2-0 win against the previously unbeaten United States and that comprehensive victory against Portugal - the Spanish have been at their most accomplished, suggesting they are peaking at the right time.

'Big things'
"I don't know if we will win the championship but if we keep on playing like we have I am sure we can achieve big things in this tournament," Santisteban said. Portugal coach António Violante also believes Spain are potential world champions. "Spain did things in this match that they didn't do in the final of the European Championship," he reflected after his side's elimination on Sunday. "In the first half we performed well but after the third goal the game was over."

Seven on the scoresheet
Spain's greatest virtue is their attacking stength in depth. Their top scorer in the European Championship, David, has hardly featured here since scoring in the opening game, while a further seven players have got on the scoresheet, with Silva and Cesc leading the way with three goals apiece. Silva was suspended against the Portuguese after being sent off against the US - yet his team-mates still managed five goals without him.

Attacking form
If Spain can maintain their attacking form then Argentina's defence will face its sternest test of the tournament so far - and the world U17 crown, last lifted by France in 2001 in Trinidad and Tobago, might just end up staying in Europe.