Rooney treble lifts England

England managed to restore some morale after their semi-final defeat when they secured a 4-1 win against Spain to earn third spot in the European Under-17 Championships in Denmark.

Scrappy opening
As expected both sides made a raft of changes to the sides that had played and lost in the semi-finals giving some of the players on the fringes of their squads a chance to shine. These changes were evident during a scrappy opening phase in which neither side managed to settle into a steady rhythm and consequently failed to create any clear-cut opportunities.

Spanish blow
Spain generally had the better of the opening stages but it was England who edged in front when Wayne Routledge beat keeper Roberto Santamaria from a tight angle within the Spanish box to give England the advantage with 37 minutes gone on the clock.

Rooney on target
Worse was to come for Juan Santisteban Troyano's side three minutes later, when Routledge escaped his marker down the right to produce a trademark cross for Wayne Rooney who slid the ball into the net from close range to score his third goal of the tournament.

Martinez throws Spain a lifeline
Spain looked down and out but was thrown a lifeline only seconds later, when Roberto Soldado Rillo's curling cross from the right hit the inside of the far post and Jaime Gavilan Martinez was quick to follow up and cut the deficit as first half came to an eventful end.

England seize advantage
Had Spain dominated most of first half, England took over from the start of the second and reclaimed their two-goal lead when Routledge once more turned provider for the on-rushing Rooney who threw himself forward to head his side's third goal.

Dismal afternoon
It was a cruel blow for the brave Spaniards and their dismal afternoon was capped with six minutes left on the clock, when Mark Smyth found Rooney in acres of space and the Everton FC man had no trouble completing his hat-trick.