Spain prevail in Pasching shoot-out

Substitute goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo was the hero as holders Spain finally ended the challenge of France in a penalty shoot-out to set up a meeting with Greece in the final of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Linz on Friday evening.

Sergio the hero
Spain had won all their three previous U19 semi-finals while France were appearing in the last four for only the second time but neither were able to produce their usual flowing football in an even encounter in which clear chances were at a premium. Instead, after 120 goalless minutes it took spot-kicks to separate the sides and Sergio – who had replaced the injured Felipe Ramos in the second half - was the hero, saving from Kévin Monnet-Paquet and Quentin Othon as Spain converted all four of their kicks. Some gloss was taken off the win, however, as Juan Santisteban's side will be without captain Javier Martínez and Ángel Montoro, sent off in the final seconds of extra time, for the final.

Aarón inspiration
The sides' two previous competitive meetings at U19 level had yielded just one goal, although that tally might have been increased within four minutes as Aarón Níguez's audacious first-time chip caught Johann Carrasso off his line only for the crossbar to spare the goalkeeper, who reacted smartly to block Emilio Nsue's follow-up with his feet. The France No1 was called into action again three minutes later in keeping out Carlos Martínez's strike, but those opportunities proved a misleading indication of a first half in which defences enjoyed the upper hand.

Defences on top
The pattern was illustrated by a perfectly-timed tackle from France's Garry Bocaly, who came across from right-back to pressure Emilio into slicing wide, while Steve Pinau and then Malaury Martin were denied by brave challenges from Bocaly's Spanish opposite number Pablo Gil. Neither team had much in the way of clear chances to show for their efforts, before the game came to life in the opening moments of the second period. France were first to threaten with a swift counterattack, Othon's long ball setting Monnet-Paquet – fit after a knee injury – racing towards goal but, after cutting inside two covering defenders, his shot was blocked by Felipe Ramos.

Ramos replaced
Othon was then required to kick Jon Echaide's flick from an Aarón corner off his own goalline, before Spain were forced to bring on Sergio for the stricken Ramos, who was carried off on a stretcher having bravely punched clear Martin's set-piece. Spain then spurned a golden chance to break the deadlock as the game entered its final 15 minutes, Paul Baysse's wayward pass allowing Aarón to race towards goal and unselfishly square for Carlos, who shot wide.

Sergio saves
Spain's replacement goalkeeper acquitted himself well in the closing stages, keeping out long-range efforts from Othon and Martin to ensure extra time, and raced from his line to deny Monnet-Paquet in the first additional period. The pendulum then swung the other way, Carrosso saving well from a Mantoro free-kick and Mikel Sanjosé's header before Mantoro's dismissal, but penalties always looked like deciding the tie and so it proved, with Spain finally prevailing.