New Zealand will need to win their final pool match against Japan on Monday (NZT) to have any chance of progressing to the second round of the Under-17 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica after going down to Spain 3-0 today.
The Young Football Ferns struggled to cope with a powerful Spanish outfit, falling behind inside three minutes. New Zealand had a chance to score a late consolation when they were awarded a dubious penalty, but Isabella Coombes fired her spot kick against the post.
Their chances of progression are slim considering Japan beat Spain 2-0 in their opening match. New Zealand opened their World Cup with a 1-1 draw with Paraguay, which snapped a six-game losing streak.
New Zealand 0 Spain 3 (Sandra Hernandez 3, Pilar Garrote 34, Nahikari Garcia 67). HT: 0-2.
