Muniain aims for the top with Spain

Spain's Iker Muniain delivered a game-changing performance when called from the bench during his team's opening UEFA European Under-19 Championship victory over Croatia. However, given the choice the Athletic Club attacker would start every game for club and country.

La Roja made a positive start in Group B with a 2-1 triumph against a Croatian side that had won every game in qualifying. Having gone a goal behind to Franko Andrijašević's long-range opener late in the first half, Spain responded through Muniain's pace and trickery and went on to win the game with two goals in the space of nine minutes from Thiago Alcántara and Rodri.

Speaking to UEFA.com, the 17-year-old Muniain – who became the youngest ever scorer in the Liga when on target for Athletic Club last term – said: "In terms of being able to help the team and realising that there are important games coming up I'm happy, but like all players I want to be on from the beginning.

"The boss is the man who decides though and I have to be ready when he calls on me," he explained, before praising Luis Milla, who led Spain to their seventh finals at this level. "The coach fills us with confidence while letting us play with freedom. We're thrilled with him for the work he has put in and for the support he gives us."

Having collected "some beautiful memories" last season which included his senior debut for Los Leones in a UEFA Europa League qualifier against BSC Young Boys, the Pamplona-born attacker is keen to continue his rapid progress, with glory at this year's U19 finals an immediate target.

"I hope that everything I've been through in the season gone by will serve me well and help me to learn for the future," he explained. "At the moment we're full of hope that we can get to the final of this prestigious tournament, but we have to be wary as making a mistake against any one of the teams here will see us severely punished."

Prior to the victory over Croatia, Milla was concerned that Spain's recent triumph at the FIFA World Cup might put undue pressure on his young players. Yet, on hearing mention of the senior side's memorable win in South Africa, Muniain threw his head back in joy and exclaimed: "Oh that was so wonderful. Everyone in Spain had been waiting for that moment for a lifetime; it was really incredible. Winning a World Cup is always a goal in every player's life and I hope that one day I'll find myself in the hunt for a trophy like that."

With at least four years to go until he can fulfil that particular ambition, the player known among his team-mates as 'Bart Simpson' will be hoping to mesmerise Spain's next opponents Portugal in their second game in Group B on Wednesday.