European Under-17 Championship

England 1 - Spain 2

A controversial last minute penalty saw Spain through to another European youth final. Their semi-final against England appeared to be heading for a penalty shoot out when substitute Diego Capel was brought down on the edge of the area by Noble. The tackle appeared to have been made outside of the area, but Belgian referee Joeri Van de Velde awarded a penalty and sent off the England captain, and Arsenal's Cesc Fábregas stepped up to score from the spot. Cesc had already hit the post in the first minute of the game, and Juan Santiesteban's side took the lead ten minutes later when Marcos latched on to Marc's cross to score from a tight angle. England equalised though midway through the first half when Adán misread Reid's corner and allowed it to creep in off his legs on the near post, and John Peacock's side came close to scoring a couple of times before Cesc's late winner. Spain go on to play France in Saturday's final, hoping for revenge after losing to the hosts at the group stage. The victory also gives them automatic qualification to this year's edition of the Meridian cup, which takes place between European and African youth sides. (12.05.04)