Under 19 European championship

Norway 0 - Spain 3

Spain: Asier Riesgo; Ceballos, Jarque, Murillo (Melli 70'), Peña; Sergio Torres, Iniesta; Carmelo (Pina 58'), Sergio García (Jonan 65'), Reyes; Fernando Torres. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 23. Reyes. Following up after keeper saved from Fernando Torres.
0-2. 55. Fernando Torres. Low shot under keeper after pass in from Iniesta.
0-3. 68. Reyes. Spectacular volley on the turn into top of net.

Group A league table (after 2 games):
Slovakia 6 points
Spain 4 points
Czech Republic 1 point
Norway 0 points

Group B league table (after 2 games):
Germany 4 points
Eire 3 points
England 2 points
Belgium 1 point

Spain's youngsters beat hosts Norway to move closer to a place in the final and ensure their participation in the youth World Cup in the United Arab Emirates next spring as one of the top six European sides. Sevilla's Reyes passed a late fitness test on his injured ankle and was to prove the star of the match, scoring two goals and proving too much of a handful for the Scandinavian defence. After going close a couple of times, he gave his side the lead midway through the first half after a shot from his Atlético Madrid strike partner Fernando Torres was blocked by keeper Larsen.

With Norway billed as the weakest side in the group, Iñaki Saéz used the game to give a run out to other members of his squad, including Real Sociedad keeper Asier Riesgo, who had an easy debut. Ten minutes in to the second half Fernando Torres opened his account in the competition after Barcelona's Iniesta set him up, and Reyes added a third with a spectacular volley a few minutes later. The victory sets them up for a place in the final this weekend, although to do so they will have to beat a Slovakia side who have scored five goals in each of their first two games. The game takes place on Thursday, and they will be missing Athletic Bilbao central defender Murillo, who picked up a second yellow card in this match. (23.07.02)