Spain’s U20s defeated the USA U20s 18-16 in a tough, defense-minded game.

The USA team had ample opportunities to score with the lion’s share of possession, especially in the first half, but didn’t play with much cohesion and couldn’t get the offloads they wanted.

Spain tackled doggedly, and also repeatedly committed infractions in the ruck (not releasing the tackled player) and around it (offside) - so much so that the referee stopped calling most of the offsides.

The young Eagles had an early opportunity to score a try with a lineout five meters from the Spanish tryline, but an apparent mixup in who was supposed to take the pass down from the jumper led to a knock-on. Later, in a similar situation, the ball came down cleanly but the connection between scrumhalf Louis Mulholland and flyhalf Ben Cima was off - Mulholland’s pass was low and Cima was unable to catch it.

Spain, meanwhile, finally got into the USA 22 with some hard work in contact. A good leg drive put them close to the line and then scrumhalf Jaime Mata saw some loose patrolling of the pillar position at the ruck, dummied and was over for an 8-0 Spain lead.

It stayed that way into halftime, and then right after the restart Spain was down in the USA end again. The Americans were penalized for collapsing a maul, and from the ensuing lineout, Spain mauled again, and ran a few pick-and-goes until hooker Vicente Delhoyo went over for a 16-0 lead.

The USA got on the scoreboard working hard to keep the continuity. Spain was penalized several times - but no cards were given - and finally from a lineout Hanco Germishuys peeled off the back of the maul and was over. Cima hit the conversion to make it 16-8.

It stayed that way almost until the end of the game, when Spain got a penalty and opted to kick for posts. Andrea Rabagao slotted the kick to make it 18-8.

There followed a furious five minutes with the USA trying everything they could to get through the Spanish defense. They had numerous penalty advantages, and as time ran out, had one more penalty. They took the lineout (under the new law variations, a kick to touch on a penalty doesn’t end the game), and just barely won that lineout. After two more Spanish penalties, Germishuys tapped, faked to his right, and scored.

Cima hit the conversion, but it wasn’t enough, as Spain held on 18-16.

The game itself was a showcase of what happened between a team that has been together a long time and has a game plan down - Spain - and one that is still struggling to bring individuals together. But more than that, it was a harsh lesson in what happens when a referee refuses to use his cards. Spain should have had yellow cards handed out early, and also in the middle of the game, and late. Because in the laws of this tournament, penalty goals are only two points, the Spanish knew they could line up offside with impunity, and did so.

Spain wins Pool B and will play Samoa for the World Trophy championship. Namibia hammered Hong Kong and will play Fiji for 3rd. The USA plays Uruguay for 5th after finishing 1-2 in Pool B. And Zimbabwe plays Hong Kong for 7th.