Spain delight in late winner

A last-minute penalty from Cesc put Spain into the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final for the second successive year, earning victory against England in dramatic fashion in Tours.

Cesc composure
The Arsenal FC midfield player kept his composure to score from the spot after Mark Noble had brought down Spanish substitute Diego as the forward raced clear, resulting in a red card for the England captain. Cesc's firm and well-directed penalty gave goalkeeper Ben Alnwick no chance and earned Spain a meeting with tournament hosts France in Châteauroux on Saturday and a chance to erase some of the disappointment of losing the final to Portugal a year ago.

Much-changed side
England coach John Peacock made six changes from the side that finished top of Group B by virtue of a 1-0 win against Austria on Sunday, with Nathan Ashton, Noble, Ben Parker, Fraizer Campbell, Richard Stearman and David Wheater all included in the starting lineup. Spain were without central defender Piqué through suspension so Gotor was called upon in Juan Santisteban's only change.

Quick start
It was an absorbing and entertaining encounter at the Stade Vallée du Cher between two well-matched sides who kept up an intense tempo throughout. Spain started the match the better and could have been in front inside a minute but Carmona's effort from outside the penalty area struck the post with Alnwick beaten.

Simple finish
Spain did take the lead in the tenth minute, however, with a well-worked goal. Cesc and Carmona were both involved as Pedraza burst clear down the right and the striker's low drive across the face of goal was sidefooted in at the far post by Marcos.

Reid denied
England responded positively to falling behind and could have been level within a minute as Kyel Reid struck a powerful low shot from distance, but his effort flew just wide.

Bizarre equaliser
The same player did equalise nine minutes after England had fallen behind, finding the net in bizarre fashion. The winger won a corner himself and struck a low curling kick that Mario inexplicably jumped over and the ball hit Adán's legs and crept inside the near post.

Attacking danger
The goal gave England heart and Peacock's side looked dangerous on the counterattack for the remainder of the half, with Reid and Shane Paul causing problems down the flanks. Although Spain were on top, they had to be wary of England's threat on the break.

Paul shame
Two minutes after half-time, Paul broke down the right on to Mark Davies's pass and Adán was forced to palm away his shot, Lombán completing the clearance. The 52nd-minute introduction of Jonathan gave the Spanish attack more purpose, the substitute worrying the England defence with his pace and workrate.

English endeavour
It was Peacock's team who continued to look the more likely scorers, however, Paul having a header saved and Davies and Reid both going close. At the other end, Marcos's lob drifted just wide, but then came the last-minute drama.

Pecci problem
England threw men forward in the four minutes of added time, forcing Spain on to the back foot. The Spanish held firm however, to book their final berth against their Group A opponents who won the first meeting between the sides 1-0 in Blois. Spain will be without Pecci for the final after the defender collected his second caution of the competition on the hour.

Meridian Cup
England, beaten in a second successive semi-final, must raise themselves for the third/fourth-place play-off with Portugal earlier the same day, with the winners joining France, Spain and hosts Turkey in next year's UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup.