Two of the world’s most talented young footballers will be in the spotlight in the World Cup final – but they may not be in the starting eleven at all.
Both England and Spain will be hoping for a player in the World Cup final who was not in the starting line-up in the semi-final.
England welcome back Lauren James, who was shown the red card for a kick in the round of 16 against Nigeria and has since been suspended. Meanwhile, Spain are expecting miracles from teenager Salma Paralluelo, who has turned into a super joker.
James: Five goals in one game
James, 21, arguably robbed herself of a fabulous statistical tournament with her blackout and subsequent suspension.In the 6-1 group stage win over China alone, the Chelsea FC attacker scored twice herself and set up three other goals.
James, whose brother Reece plays on the right flank for Chelsea’s men, has been deployed behind the leaders so far in the tournament, and from there has really done what she feels like doing. An absolute attacking all-rounder, about whom brother Reece claims: “She’s got better technique than some Premier League players. “
While James is particularly convincing with her ball skills, Barca attacker Salma presents her opponents with almost insurmountable tasks with her insane speed. The 19-year-old used to be an athlete – an outstanding 400-metre runner. “If she had chosen track and field, she would have been in an Olympic final for sure,” her former coach Felix Laguna was sure in “The Athletic” interview.
A starting eleven appearance could make Salma less effective
Now, however, Champions League winner Salma only plays football, has already won the World Cup with Spain’s U17s and U20s, and scored an important goal – each from the bench – for Spain in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the current tournament.
It is – apart from finishing, where both are strong – one particularly outstanding skill that could make or break the World Cup final in Sydney on Sunday for two of the most exciting young footballers at the moment. However, as the England team has increasingly found its feet in recent games and Salma’s dynamism may be more valuable as a wild card than from the start, both may have to watch again in the most important of games. For now.
