Sergi stars on Spain's opening night

Sergi double
It took 52 minutes of patient probing before Sergi shot Spain ahead in their opening Group B game, and added a second soon after to finish off the 2002 champions. It was a good result for Spain, who were missing suspended striker Rubén, and had been denied the services of several key players for the finals by pre-tournament injuries, pressing Sergi into U17 action for the first time.

Borkovic saves
Early chances were few, but Spain had most of the possession. Thiago tested René Borkovic but the goalkeeper, who had sensationally scored the injury-time goal in Croatia that took Switzerland to Turkey, stood firm. Borkovic had a stroke of fortune just before the half-hour when his punch after a corner fell to Spain captain Álvaro, but his first-time shot went high.

Touch away
Switzerland were relying on quick breaks but Taulant Xhaka was just denied when Spain goalkeeper Álex dived on an Admir Mehmedi cross. Just before the interval Thiago seemed set to put Spain ahead but Borkovic managed to get a touch away. The Switzerland goalkeeper made another telling intervention early in the second half as his parry from Sergi's shot just took the ball beyond the jump of Carmona.

Goals
In the cool Antalya evening Spain were probing down the wings through Carmona and Keko, but a cutting edge was missing and Manu was introduced. Within a minute, Álvaro received a free-kick on the touchline and cut back for Sergi to turn in from close range. It was 2-0 soon after, and again Sergi was on target; Borkovic stopped his first point-blank effort but his second was unstoppable despite some momentary confusion after the ball bounced out off the frame at the back of the goal.

Hat-trick denied
Sergi nearly had a hat-trick, but after Borkovic stopped his first effort the Valencia CF forward shot over. Spain and fellow Matchday 1 winners France meet on Wednesday when Switzerland will look to get off the mark against the Republic of Ireland.