Spain began their UEFA Women's Under-17 European Championship campaign with a 4-0 victory over Finland at Inver Park. A fast opening placed the Spanish side in control, and two further goals after the interval completed a confident Group B performance in Larne.
Mila Martinez's team took the lead after seven minutes. Iraia Fernandez helped create the opening from the left and, after the first effort was not fully cleared, Naia Aymerich followed in to score. Spain maintained the pressure and quickly doubled the advantage.
Fernandez supplied the second with a powerful finish from the left side of the area. With two goals inside the opening quarter, Spain were able to settle into a measured passing rhythm and make Finland spend long periods defending around their own box.
Rocio Elaine, Aymerich and Ainhoa Gilbert were all involved in further first-half opportunities, although Finland reached the interval without additional damage. Goalkeeper Aida Veiga had little to do as Spain protected the ball and recovered possession quickly.
Finland made three changes in an attempt to alter the pattern, but Spain struck again eight minutes after the restart. Elaine held the ball up and laid it into the path of Laia Cabetas, who scored from outside the area to make it 3-0.
The Finnish side then produced a spell of greater purpose and tested Veiga, but Spain remained in control. Martinez used her bench while her players continued to move the ball across the width of the pitch and search for a fourth goal.
That final goal came from the penalty spot. Abril Rius was brought down in the area and Angela Galvez converted, putting a clear margin on a match Spain had led from its earliest stages.
The result gave Spain three points alongside France, who defeated Poland in the other opening Group B fixture. Spain will next face France in Coleraine, while Finland move on to a meeting with Poland in Larne.
