France end Spain reign

France edged a one-goal win against the Republic of Ireland to qualify for the 2005 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship with a 100 per cent record, at the expense of holders Spain.

Peruzzetto goal
A draw at the Pabellón de la Ciudad del Fútbol today would have been enough for France, the 2003 winners, to secure a place in the eight-team championship. But Ireland proved very different to the side that succumbed to a heavy 5-0 defeat by Spain on Thursday, and Susan Ronan's team always posed a threat until defender Julie Peruzzetto fired France in front on the hour mark.

Spain eliminated
Stéphane Pilard's well-fancied side racked up seven goals against Croatia on Thursday, but could not add to their lead and had to settle for a narrow win. It nevertheless completed a successful qualifying campaign, securing maximum points from three group games and ensuring that defending champions Spain will not defend their title in Hungary in July. Ignacio Quereda Laviña's team finished on a high, however, easing to a comprehensive 4-0 victory against Croatia in Madrid.

Pérez double
The mini-tournament hosts got off to a superb start, taking the lead midway through the first half when Croatian defender Katarina Janc directed the ball past Ines Bašic and into her own net. María Pérez, who was also on target against Ireland in her side's last outing, then put the game out of the visitors' reach with two goals in five minutes either side of half-time before Ana María completed the win on 67 minutes.

Decisive defeat
Ultimately, however, victory proved in vain as Spain were left to rue their decisive 1-0 defeat by France on Tuesday and finished three points adrift of the summit. Ireland were third, while Croatia prop up the section after conceding 15 goals in their three group games.