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Danny Welbeck secured a priceless point after 88 minutes as England held tournament favourites Spain to a 1-1 draw on Sunday evening.
Spain: De Gea, Montoya, Botia, Dominquez, Didac Vila, Thiago, Martinez, Ander (Capel 86 min), Mata, Adrian (Parejo 72 min), Jeffren (Bojan 80 min).
England: Fielding, Walker, Smalling, Jones, Bertrand, Cleverley (Sinclair 80 min), Henderson, Mancienne (Rodwell 66 min), Rose (Lansbury 66 min), Welbeck, Sturridge.
Spain began the match with very much the look of a side keen to impress in this summers tournament. They had caused controversy with pre-match comments made that ‘they didn’t know who any of the England players were’. The Spanish kept the ball well in the early stages with Barcelona starlet Thiago providing a masterclass in passing the football. It seems his teachers Xavi and Iniesta may be looking at their predecessor.
Spain took the lead after 14 minutes when Javi Martinez was allowed room at the near post and his header was bundled over the line by Ander. It was a controversial moment in the game as he seemed to use his hand to nudge the ball over the line but no decision was made and the goal was allowed. England remained a threat on the counter attack and Cleverley whipped in two decent balls to the back post with Sturridge and Welbeck desperately unlucky not to make contact on more than one occasion.
As the first half wore on, England were left chasing shadows as Spain passed the ball with ease, Lopez released Ander after 33 minutes but Manchester United defender Smalling managed to clear the danger. Danny Rose whipped in a fine cross after 40 minutes which again just eluded the two England strikers. England ended the half well and may have equalised but new Manchester United keeper De Gea twice provided decent saves to deny Sturridge late on in the first period.
The second half begun with much the same pattern, Spain were passing the ball around comfortably as England attempted to pick out a long ball at every opportunity. Fielding made a fantastic save after an Ander strike was deflected on target after 60 minutes and Spain again went close moments after when delicious build-up play presented Martinez with the chance to score, but Jones made a fine block and managed to scramble the ball from danger.
Spain had another fantastic chance after 70 minutes when another fine passing move eventually found Montoya; his strike hit the side-netting when he might have done better. England attempted to change the flow of the game by introducing Sinclair, Rodwell and Lansbury but to no immediate effect. Quite incredibly however and entirely against the run of play, England managed to claw level after 88 minutes. Kyle Walker found Danny Welbeck in the box and although there was a strong hint of offside, the Manchester United striker provided a fine finish to level the game at 1-1 and clinch a priceless point.
Meanwhile, in the earlier match in Group B, Czech Republic managed a 2-1 win over Ukraine with skipper Borek Dockal scoring a wonderful brace, as a result they currently sit top of Group B. Belarus sit top of Group A after a 2-0 win over Iceland on Saturday whilst Switzerland managed a 1-0 win over hosts Denmark.
Tags: England Under-21, European Under 21 Championship, Spain Under-21
