Spain breeze past North Korea to enter knockout round

Mohamed Moukhliss and Cesar Gelabert struck a goal each as European champions Spain secured a ticket to the Round of 16 with a comfortable 2-0 win over North Korea in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Kochi on Friday.

Spain finished second in Group D behind leaders Brazil, whom they lost to in their tournament opener, but bounced back with a 4-0 rout of Niger.

Moukhliss gave Spain the lead in the fourth minute when he shot one from the centre of the box off an assist by Gelabert. Gelabert added a second in the 71st minute, as his right-footed shot from a very close range found the back of the net.

Spain dominated possession and had 23 attempts (6 on target) on goal. North Korea, who couldn't get a shot on target, exit the tournament without a goal or a point to their name.