Stalemate in Chaves

England and Italy's UEFA European Under-17 Championship semi-final hopes remain in the balance after the two sides drew 0-0 in this evening's Group B game in Chaves.

Up for grabs
After watching Spain beat Israel 3-0 at the same stadium in the afternoon to reach the last four, England knew that a victory would ensure they too would progress beyond the group stage. However in Italy they faced accomplished opponents and John Peacock's side ultimately had to settle for a draw which leaves the second qualifying berth in the group still up for grabs.

Tight game
An extremely tight but always fascinating game ultimately hinged on both sides' defensive excellence, as attacking players found it hard to find the space and time to create clearcut opportunities. One exception was Italy's Arturo Lupoli. The forward, who was handed a starting berth after appearing as a substitute in his side's 2-0 loss against Spain, was at the heart of most of his side's best moves.

Aggressive Italy
A Lupoli free-kick after ten minutes whistled past the English goal and soon after the energetic forward produced another fine shot after a neat pass from team-mate Andrea Stucchi. At this stage Italy looked the more aggressive in attack, but England's defence held firm.

Lupoli dribble
After 22 minutes England's James Milner, a scorer in his side's 2-1 win against Israel, almost gave his side the lead but his effort shot over the Italian crossbar to the relief of goalkeeper Fabio Virgili. Four minutes later Lupoli again showed his class with a mazy dribble from midfield to the edge of the penalty area where he fed Nicola Pozzi, whose shot hit the side netting.

Doyle shot
England came even closer to breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when Nathan Doyle's audacious long shot from the left hit the Italian post. Steven Taylor swept the rebound into the net but the 'goal' was ruled out for offside.

Rossi efforts
The second half saw both sides endeavouring, but failing, to gain that all-important goal. Italian substitute Giuseppe Rossi curled a free-kick into the arms of England goalkeeper Thomas Heaton and the same player was again denied by the England No1 from close range in the 70th minute.

Many possible outcomes
The result leaves a number of permutations ahead of Sunday's final games - Spain against England in Vila Real and Italy versus Israel in Santa Marta de Penaguião. If England win or draw against the Spanish then Italy are definitely out of the competition, but a Spain victory will mean the Italians can still overhaul the English and clinch a last-four berth if they beat the Israelis.