Spot-on Spain end French hopes

Spain held their nerve to claim a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory against France in the Korea Republic and book a FIFA U-17 World Cup semi-final date with Ghana on Wednesday.

Aquino joy
Thibaut Bourgeois was the unfortunate player for Les Bleus as the side saw their hopes ended in the cruellest of circumstances in Jeju. The FC Metz youngster saw his spot-kick saved by David De Gea and paved the way for Daniel Aquino to strike the winning penalty as Spanish celebrations began. France, meanwhile, were left to ponder what might have been having held the lead through Damien Le Tallec on 52 minutes after good work from Frédéric Duplus and Henri Saivet.

Key changes
With Bojan Krkić unusually off-key in Spain's attack, missing two chances, coach Juan Santisteban rang the changes, bringing on Aquino and Jordi and it was to prove inspired. On 72 minutes Bojan hit a stinging shot that could only be parried into the path of Iago Falqué, who fed Jordi for the equaliser. Le Tallec almost restored the lead with a header late on but De Gea pulled off a superb save to deny him and when Vincent Acapandie blasted a fine chance over late in extra time there was a feeling it was not to be France's day – and so it proved.