Spain soar after Krkić propulsion

Bojan Krkić was again the hero for Spain as he came off the bench to make two goals that secured victory in UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group A against Russia and took his team to the verge of the semi-finals.

Vital substitution
Having lost striker Emilio Nsue to injury in their 7-1 win against Luxembourg, Spain coach Juan Santisteban opted for midfielder Marcos Gullón rather than 15-year-old substitute hat-trick scorer Krkić, with Rubén Ramos alongside Aarón Ñíguez up front. But after a first-half stalemate, Krkić was introduced and soon crossed for Ñíguez to score. Another substitute, Cristian Vergara, swiftly added another and Gullón confirmed victory late on after a Krkić free-kick.

Gullón start
Russia, unchanged from their dramatic 1-0 defeat of Hungary, made an assured start, though Spain dominated possession. Ñíguez, who claimed two goals against the hosts, further underlined his strong reputation with some nice flicks, but the first 20 minutes passed without a real chance. The physical strength of the Russians, so important against Hungary, was ensuring Spanish attacks were ending at the edge of the area, though Ramón Soria showed some steel of his own to stop a Dmitry Rkyzhov run.

Krkić impact
A Ñíguez free-kick curled just wide on the half-hour, and his dangerous corner was flicked away by Evgeni Pomazan, but the goalkeeper was not having to produce the heroics he had two days ago. Russia playmaker Igor Gorbatenko, who started despite illness, emerged for the second half, as did Krkić, introduced for José Hermosa.

Ñíguez strike
Within seconds Krkić carved open the Russian defence, finding Ramos, who shot wide. Atlético Madrileño CF man Ramos had another great chance ten minutes later after fine control in the box, but again his effort was past the far post. Finally, though, Spain found the target, Krkić advancing to the byline and cutting back for Ñíguez to get the goal his performance richly merited.

Vlasov loss
Five minutes later, it was 2-0. Ñíguez pounced on a loose ball and sprinted down the left. He crossed for Vergara, whose shot was deemed to have crossed the line by referee Bjorn Kuipers before being cleared by a defender, although in any case Krkić kicked in the rebound. Things then got worse for Russia, as moments after Gorbatenko had been replaced by Aleksandr Marenich in their final substitution, defender Anton Vlasov injured his hamstring and was unable to continue. Pomazan then spilled a Krkić free-kick, Gullón pounced to make it three. Hungary's 4-0 win against Luxembourg means Spain will need to lose by five against the Hungarians to miss out, and then only if Russia defeat the hosts. A Russian win would take them through should Hungary not beat Spain.