Five-star Spain win Group C

Spain cruised to their third consecutive win of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship with an emphatic 5-1 victory over a depleted Yugoslavia in Nakskov today.

Spain in control
With qualification for the quarter-finals already safe in hand, Yugoslavia coach Momcilo Vujacic rested no less than six players from the side that beat the Czech Republic 3-1 on Monday. It was therefore no surprise that Yugoslavia performed below par for much of the match and Spain were in control of the match from the 20th minute onwards.

Baletic error
Yugoslavia created a couple of half-chances during the opening exchanges, but it was Spain who claimed the lead in the 25th minute, when keeper Igor Baletic misjudged a cross from David Corominas 'Coro' allowing Jonathan Soriano to score from close range.

Jonathan double
Yugoslavia went two goals down five minutes later when their off-side trap failed, leaving Jaime Gavilán to chip the ball over the advancing Baletic. Jonathan then scored his second of the match, out-pacing Baletic to stab the ball in, to effectively end the tie as a contest.

Vukcevic introduced
Vujacic gave leading scorer Simon Vukcevic, who has scored four goals in the tournament, a taste of action from the start of the second half but he could not prevent Spain claiming their fourth goal three minutes after the restart. Jonathan gained possession following a goalmouth scramble and chipped the ball to the far post where an unmarked Coro made it 4-0.

Consolation goal
4-0 soon became 5-0, when the Yugoslavian defence cleared straight to David Rodriguez and his shot from the edge of the box deflected in past a helpless Baletic. Spain took their foot off the gas for the reminder of the match and allowed their opponents to score a consolation goal in the dying seconds, as captain Miroslav Lecic pounced on a rebound after Vukcevic had hit the post with a free-kick.