Spain set off in style

Spain made an impressive start to their UEFA European Under-17 Championship campaign with a comfortable win in their first second qualifying round Group 1 match.

Brisk start
Spain made their intentions clear from kick-off, pressing the Czechs back from the first whistle. Carlos Carmona Bonet and Jonathan Perreira Rodríguez threatened down both flanks and it was the latter's centre that supplied the opening goal as César Díaz Martinez rose highest to head past Ludek Frydrich in the 27th minute. Five minutes later, Marcos García Barreno turned in Carmona Bonet's cross to make the score 2-0.

Lucky escape
Spain continued to dominate during the second half, although goalkeeper Adán had a narrow escape when a stray header bounced back off the crossbar soon after half-time.

Spanish superiority
Juan Santisteban's side went 3-0 up on 51 minutes when Carmona Bonet found Díaz Martinez and the striker duly headed in his second and Spain's third. Supplier turned scorer five minutes past the hour, RCD Mallorca midfield player Carmona Bonet capping an excellent personal perfomance with a fourth goal.

Santisteban satisfaction
Santisteban was pleased with the way his side started their campaign, saying: "The Czechs have great physical potential but judging by the way we played today, it would have been very difficult for them to have beaten us. This does not mean that we have qualified - we must respect the next two rivals. If we play like we did today, then we will have everything in our favour to achieve another victory."

Monday meetings
Spain meet Russia on Monday at the Estadio Municipal Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras while Czech Republic take on Hungary earlier in the day. Russia defeated Hungary 3-1 in Group 1's other game on Saturday.