The World Youth Football Championship -- staged in the Nigerian city of Lagos -- has been won by Spain.

The Spanish team overwhelmed Japan four-nil in the final.

Japan was the first Asian side to get so far in the competition, but could not match a Spanish side which played throughout with style and panache.

Third place went to Mali, who defeated Uruguay one-nil.

Officials of football's governing body, FIFA, closely watched the game to help determine whether Nigeria can be considered a potential host for the World Cup itself in Two-Thousand-and Six.