England Claim WMF Women’s World Cup Third Place on Penalties
IslandStats.com
England secured third place at the World Minifootball Federation (WMF) Women’s World Cup in dramatic fashion, defeating Slovakia on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 draw in Mali Lošinj.
The shoot-out triumph offered an immediate and uplifting response for Jasmine Spence and her team-mates, coming just hours after a narrow 1-0 defeat to the United States in a fiercely contested semi-final.
In the third-place play-off, England were forced to dig deep against a resilient Slovak side. With the match finely poised, Bermudian forward Spence delivered a moment of sheer quality to unlock Slovakia’s backline.
Reading the play in the attacking third, Spence threaded a precision through-ball into the path of Kendra Brown, who applied a clinical finish to register England’s second goal.
Although Slovakia fought back to level the contest at 2-2 by the final whistle, England held their nerve from the penalty spot, converting their spot-kicks to seal a memorable bronze finish on Croatian soil.
The podium finish capped an eventful tournament run for England, who had pushed the United States to the limit in the final four.
Facing the formidable American side on the tight small-sided pitch, England produced an organised and disciplined defensive effort, frustrating their opponents for long stretches. However, a single breakthrough proved decisive, with the US edging a tight 1-0 victory to punch their ticket to the final.
England refused to let their Semi-Final disappointment linger. Spearheaded by Spence’s energy and vision across the frontline, the squad rallied to close out their Croatian campaign on a high, securing silverware and showcasing their credentials on the global minifootball stage.
