News Archive

Under 19 European finals

Spain’s under 19 side were brought down to Earth in their second group game, a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Russia leaving them with work to do to reach the knock-out stage. Luis De las Fuente’s side were on a high after their big win against Germany, and with less than a quarter of an hour on the clock Borja Mayoral picked up a loose ball after Asensio was tackled to run on and fire a shot inside the near post. Asensio went close a couple of times as the youngsters looked to extend their lead, but with eight minutes to go to the break Barinov held off Merino before curling a shot wide of Sivera. Worse was to come though, Russia adding two more in the opening ten minutes of the second half, the first an angled shot from Gasilin after Golovin set him up, and the second a header by Sheydaev from Melkadze’s cross. The East Europeans were left with ten men when Khodzhanniyazov was given a second yellow card for protesting, but even so Spain hardly troubled Mitryushkin after that. As luck would have it though they still end the day at the top of their group on goal difference in a four-way tie after Holland beat Germany in the other group game, and a draw against Holland in three days’ time will see them into the semi-finals. (10.07.15)