Paco doubles up for Spain success

Two goals in the space of four minutes from captain Paco ensured Spain defeated Turkey to reach their fourth UEFA European Under-17 Championship final.

Jesé Rodríguez's first-half goal was cancelled out not long after the break by Taşkın Çalış but, after Turkey were reduced to ten men, Paco swiftly struck twice, the second a penalty, for the only two-time U17 champions. They will attempt to make that three in a rematch of the 2007 final with England in Vaduz on Sunday but Paco's tally of six in Liechtenstein is already the equal best since the showpiece became an eight-team affair in 2002/03.

Turkey, without midfielder Çağrı Tekin due to a hamstring injury, began the game as outsiders but were nearly swiftly ahead, captain Artun Akçakin breaking clear and shooting just wide. Spain were soon into their stride, though, a José Campaña free-kick tipped over by Alperen Uysal, who then saved Jorge Ortí's strong strike. However, the Turkey goalkeeper was powerless to deny Jesé on 14 minutes, the left-winger scurrying into the box and finishing with impressive coolness.

Spain captain Paco was looking for his fifth goal of the finals and looked set to get it only for Onur Yavuz to bravely block his effort. Holding the lead, Spain were having the best of possession but were content to be patient on the ball and wait for Turkey to commit. Chances for Turkey were few but Okay Yokuşlu did make Adrián Ortolá save with a low shot.

Campaña came close with another free-kick early in the second half, but seven minutes after the interval it was 1-1. Taşkın was sent clear on the right and his shot smashed into the roof of the net. However, not long afterwards Erhan Kartal received his second yellow card for a foul on Jesé.

The Spain winger soon tested Alperen, who also dived to block after Paco was sent clear by substitute Pablo. However, he was powerless to stop Spain's No9 on 63 minutes after he was played in by Jesé. And three minutes later Okay brought down Gerard inside the box and Paco stepped up for his 14th goal of Spain's U17 campaign – a competition record, beating Manuel Fischer's 13 for Germany in 2005/06. He was even twice denied when close to a hat-trick, the second time from point-blank range by Alperen, but Paco now has the chance to follow recent final winners for Spain at this level including Fernando Torres and Bojan Krkić.