While Women’s Euro 2022 has only just begun, the UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship reached its climax on Saturday. Spain, a rising power in the women’s game, claimed the title thanks to a sparking Julia Bartel goal vs Norway in the 93rd minute, one of the best team goals you’ll see all year regardless of level.
¡¡LO HEMOS CONSEGUIDO!!
¡¡ -!!El futuro es vuestro, chicas.
¡¡UNA GENERACIÓN PARA EL RECUERDO!!#U19WEURO pic.twitter.com/0gJVAcVGKA
— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) July 9, 2022
Champion in the end, Spain was made to work for its title. Norway took an early lead in the fifth minute through Iris Omarsdottir, the third goal Spain had conceded all tournament.
After conceding early, Spain bossed possession (72%) and racked up 24 shots to four for Norway. The pressure paid off when Ane Elexpuru equalized in the 36th minute.
The match remained tied until the final seconds. Continuing to push for a winner, Spain maintained its composure to produce a sterling goal.
Julia Bartel Goal vs Norway
Though the finish came from Bartel, it all started with Carmen Álvarez. The No. 9 diced her defender to get behind the defense before cutting the ball back across the six-yard box, where Mirari Uria used a backheel flick to find Bartel, who couldn’t miss from seven yards.
JÚLIA BARTEL. Como concepto. El gol de la victoria en el descuento. Asistencia TOP de Carmen.
Campeonas de Europa ⭐️pic.twitter.com/OhNPuHp2oe— Maria Tikas (@MariaTikas) July 9, 2022
Such beautiful goals are the result of unselfishness and composure in front of goal. Carmen and Uria could have easily decided to shoot for themselves but instead opted to, as Ted Lasso preaches, make the extra pass, giving Bartel an easy finish.
After the match, Spain’s U-19 squad paid tribute to a member of the senior national team. During celebrations, players held up the jersey of Alexia Putellas, the world’s best player. Putellas tore her ACL days before Euro 2022 began this week.
❤️ No podía faltar la ́ .
Este Europeo Sub-19 va dedicado a @alexiaputellas, referente y fuente de inspiración para las nuevas generaciones de nuestro fútbol femenino.#U19WEURO pic.twitter.com/7AMKEqfBrt— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) July 9, 2022
Spain was one of the favorites to win Euro 2022 before the Putellas injury and beat Finland in its opener 4-1 on Friday. Putellas was in the stands for the match and remains a big part of the team, with players wanting to celebrate every goal with her.
Aitana Bonmati runs over to her FC Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas to celebrate with her on the sidelines after giving Spain the lead over Finland. ❤️
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) July 8, 2022
