Spain seal play-off place

Goals in either half from Valdo and Rubén Castro helped Spain to a 2-0 victory at home to Ukraine that sealed their place in the play-offs for next summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals.

One-point advantage
The home side kicked off holding a one-point lead over Greece in Group 6, with Ukraine a further point adrift, but with the Spanish having played a game less than the other two sides. Therefore, Spain knew victory in Murcia would guarantee first place in the section, and Valdo's 32nd-minute opener put the home team in control, the striker collecting a loose ball inside the penalty area to score.

Late clincher
Ukraine came forward more after half-time, with Kostyantin Balabanov twice and Olexiy Bielik both going close. The decisive second did not arrive until six minutes from time, when Rubén Castro converted Mikel Arteta's pass at the second attempt to seal the victory and with it Spain's progress.

Armenian visit
The defeat meant that Ukraine finished in third place in the group, while Spain end their qualifying campaign with a trip to Armenia on 10 October.