MADRID (Interstat) — Angela Galvez scored twice and Spain U17 Women defeated Australia U17 Women 3-1 on Thursday, using an early burst to build a two-goal lead and then answering after the visitors pulled one back.

Galvez opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and Elena Vizuete doubled Spain’s advantage in the 16th. Spain’s control showed in the assist column as Abril Dia and M. Rius each set up a goal. Australia, which had drawn its opening match of the competition, stayed compact after the early setbacks and found a route back into the game when Frida Karaberis scored in the 68th minute.

Karaberis’s goal gave Australia a foothold, but Spain restored a two-goal cushion when Galvez completed her brace. Galvez played the full 90 minutes and finished with two goals. Vizuete’s goal came before she was replaced at halftime. Karaberis, who played 75 minutes, was withdrawn after scoring. Spain’s response after Australia’s goal kept the home side in control through the closing stages.

Spain’s lead could have grown before halftime, but Australia adjusted after the interval and introduced fresh legs. The visitors’ best spell followed the hour mark, when Karaberis found space and finished to make it 2-1. That goal briefly raised Australia’s hopes, but Spain limited clear chances as the game moved into its final quarter. Galvez remained the focal point of Spain’s attack and completed her brace to restore the home side’s comfort. Vizuete, who had scored Spain’s second goal, did not return for the second half. Dia and Rius each played 67 minutes and delivered an assist before being replaced.

Australia’s discipline came under strain late. S. Calvanese was booked in the 60th minute, J. Taylor in the 76th, T. Aspland in the 81st and D. G. Burchmore in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. Spain’s M. Valladares was also shown a yellow card in the 85th minute. Spain made two changes at halftime, including the withdrawal of Vizuete, and later replaced Abril Dia and M. Rius in the 67th minute after each had contributed an assist. Australia changed three players at halftime and made another switch in the 57th minute before withdrawing Karaberis in the 75th. Spain also made a late substitution in the 89th minute as it protected the result.

Spain’s victory followed its earlier win over Mexico, and the team has now won both of its matches in this competition and both of its matches across all competitions. Australia’s draw with Chile remains its only positive result of the campaign, and the loss to Spain leaves it with one draw and one defeat in the competition and across all competitions. Galvez was Spain’s top performer with two goals, while Karaberis was Australia’s most threatening player with one goal in 75 minutes. Vizuete scored in 46 minutes, and Dia and Rius each provided an assist in 67 minutes.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 final score before kickoff, and Interstat’s ELO system had given Spain a 67.1 percent probability to win. Those projections did not hold as Spain scored three goals and Australia scored once.