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Under 21 friendly international

Belgium 1 - Spain 1

Spain's under 21 side drew 1-1 with Belgium in their first friendly international since the start of the year. Although qualified for this summer's finals in Israel, coach Julen Lopetegui used this fixture to try out some younger players who are expected to make up the under 21 squad for the 2013-15 European championship, with several of the team making their debut at this level having already played for their country in more junior sides. Athletic Bilbao's Kepa started in goal, and he was called upon early on to make a couple of saves from Praet and Batshuayi. However a few minutes later a quick passing move ended with Suso putting Deulofeu through for him to beat Casteels with an angled shot. Belgium equalised before the break though, Van der Bruggen firing home an impressive first time volley after Dani Carvajal headed Cissé's cross in to his path, and after the restart substitute Bruno came close to a second when he hit the bar from outside of the area. There were the usual plethora of changes in the second half, Lopetegui bringing on Barcelona's 17 year old left back Grimaldo and the locals introducing the younger brothers of Hazard and Lukaku, but only a couple of late saves by Casteels prevented Sergi Gómez and Deulofeu from winning it for the visitors late on. (05.02.13)