England 1 - Spain 2
England: Alnwick;
Jones, Wheater, Stearman, Ashton; Roberts, Noble, Davies (Doyle 75'); Paul,
Campbell (Walker 54'), Reid (Porter 69'). 4-3-3. Spain: Adán;
Pecci, Lombán, Gotor, Pepe; Mario, Cesc (Granero 82'); Carmona, Javi
García (Pereira 52'), Marcos (Diego Capel 59'); Marc Pedraza. 4-2-3-1.
Goals: 0-1. 10. Marcos.
Drove ball into net on far post from Marc's cross. 1-1. 19. Reid. Corner
from right which crept in off Adán's legs on near post. 1-2. 81.
Cesc (penalty). After Capel pulled down by Noble on edge of area.
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
later on, with the front three Paul, Campbell and Reid a constant danger to a
defence missing their most experienced defender Piqué through
suspension.
Spain's opponents in
Saturday's final will be hosts France, who beat Portugal in the other
semi-final earlier in the day, and the youngsters will be hoping for revenge
after losing to "Les Bleus" at the group stage last week. 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. |