International Matches - Under 17

Spain 4 – Italy 2

Spain: Iñaki Peña, Robles, Brandariz, Subías, Zabarte; Morlanes, Busquets, Ivan Martín (Fran García 41’); Mboula, Abel Ruiz (Aliaga 80’), Brahim (Pol Lozano 62’). 4-3-3.
Italy: Plizzari; Bellanova, Bianchi, Bastoni, Pellegrini (Tripaldelli 60’); Frattesi, Marcucci (Mallamo 71’), Gabbia, Militari (Caponi 46’); Pinamonti, Olivieri. 4-4-2.

Goals: 1-0. 44. Brahim; 2-0. 59. Fran García; 2-1. 65. Olivieri (penalty); 2-2. 72. Pinamonti; 3-2. 76. Ruíz, 4-2. 81. Lozano.

Spain finished top of their group after beating Italy 4-2 on Thursday afternoon. Santi Denía’s side needed at least a draw to be sure of qualifying. And they seemed well on the way when they went two up midway through the second half, Manchester City’s Brahim winning the ball off Bianchi to open the scoring, and half time substitute Fran García firing home the second a few minutes later. However their opponents came back to equalize, Olveiri converting a penalty after Zabarte brought him down, and Pinamonti heading a second past Barcelona’s Iñaki Peña. With Holland winning in the other group game, another goal by Italy would have knocked Spain out, but with five minutes to go Morlanes set up Abel Ruíz for his third goal of the tournament, and Espanyol’s Pol Lozano wrapped things up with a shot in off the post, again from a Morlanes assist.