Under 20 World Cup Final

Spain 0 - Brazil 1

Another disappointment for Spain in a youth cup final, the under 20 side following in the footsteps of the under 17 combination earlier in the year, losing to Brazil at the last hurdle. Armando Ufarte's boys put up a brave fight, but were up against it from the third minute when they were left with a man short, the Italian referee rather harshly sending off team captain Melli for pulling back Nilmar as he ran on to a long pass. For a few minutes it looked as if the South Americans would over-run them, and keeper Riesgo had to make a spectacular save, turning an overhead kick from Brazil's Sevilla based right back Daniel Alves onto the crossbar. But the youngsters gradually won control, and both Iniesta and Segio García went close in the second half. However three minutes from time substitute Fernandinho fired a powerful header into the net from Daniel's corner to end Spain's dreams of a second world title at this level. (19.12.03)