Europe youngsters take the trophy

The Europe Under-18 Selection completed a memorable aggregate victory in the 6th UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup as three second-half goals helped defeat a spirited Africa side in Barcelona.

Second-half strikes
Having initially struggled to pick a way through a well-organised Africa rearguard, Krisztián Németh snapped up a loose ball to put Europe in front four minutes before half-time, and substitute Manuel Fischer increased the advantage just past the hour with his third goal of the tie. Aleksandr Prudnikov registered a well-worked third 17 minutes from time to add to the delight of a noisy crowd, and another replacement, Ádám Dudás, sealed a 10-1 aggregate success in stoppage time.

Németh opener
Europe had breached the Africa defence four times in the opening 45 minutes of Tuesday's first leg and again had the better of the early chances, with Marko Marin and Prudnikov both shooting wide. Africa, though, showed glimpses of their attacking threat as Cheikh Sy in particular stretched the Europe rearguard, before Boubacar Bangoura failed to control when well placed. Christian Okoua then pushed behind an audacious long-range chip from Europe captain Jan Hable, but the Africa goalkeeper was powerless to prevent his side falling behind shortly before the break, Prudnikov's powerful low free-kick striking the near post and rebounding perfectly for Németh to roll in.

Fischer delight
Africa might have levelled before the half-time whistle as the lively Sy sent in a low right-wing cross that Dipanda Pierrick was just unable to convert at the far post. Africa coach Frederick Osam-Duodu had promised his team would "show something better" in the second leg and Sy had an early glimpse of goal in the second period, drawing a save from Wojciech Szczesny with an awkward bouncing shot, although the Senegalese midfielder then collected a second yellow card in the 52nd minute for a late tackle. Europe made their numerical advantage count four minutes past the hour as Bojan Krkić worked space to bring a full-length save from Okoua, who again could only watch as Fischer turned in the rebound.

Prudnikov reward
With Africa pushing more players forward in search of a way back into the game, Europe began to threaten regularly on the counterattack and consolidated their superiority in the 73rd minute, Prudnikov rounding off a well-worked moved involving Bojan and Aarón Ñiguez to make up for a goal he had disallowed for offside not long before. Pierrick then rattled the crossbar with an angled free-kick, before Dudás was also denied by the woodwork and Nikola Gulan brought a diving save from substitute goalkeeper Yosief Zeratsion. However, he was beaten by a Dudás drive in the final seconds to conclude the scoring.