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Under 21 Euro 2017 qualifier

San Marino 0 - Spain 3

Job done, and Spain’s under 21 side are a step nearer to the European finals after a 0-3 victory at San Marino. A team packed with stars had more problems than expected though, partly due to a potato field of a pitch, with passes going astray and many opportunities missed. Munir opened the scoring on the quarter hour mark with a header from Gayá’s cross, but the Valencia striker failed to convert a couple of easy chances later on in the first half. Merino headed just wide from two corners either side of half time, and Bellerín tested Benedettini after the interval, but it was not until midway through the second half that Denis Suárez headed the second, also from a Gayá centre. With twelve minutes to go though Jorge Meré poked home a third after Borja Mayoral headed back a Deulofeu cross, and only a good save from the local keeper prevented Marco Asensio from scoring a fourth. Spain now need to win their last match against Estonia on Monday evening to be sure of at least a place in the play-offs, and if top two Sweden and Croatia draw in the other group game, the youngsters could qualify for the finals directly as group champions. (05.10.16)