Bueno double gives Spain glory

Spain claimed the UEFA European Under-19 Championship trophy for the third time in five years as two second-half goals from Alberto Bueno finally ended the resistance of a determined Scotland side.

Well-worked goals
Spain had defeated the same opponents 4-0 in the second round of matches in Group B but a repeat never looked likely in Poznan as a solid and hard-working Scottish display largely held the Spanish at bay in the first period. It was a different story after the interval, however, Bueno breaking the deadlock in the 51st minute by rounding off a slick passing move with an exquisite chip and doubling Spain's advantage 20 minutes later from close range. The Scots never lost heart and substitute Graham Dorrans halved their deficit in the 87th minute, but in the end the Iberian side were worthy winners.

Elliot opportunity
Spain coach Ginés Meléndez sprang a surprise by replacing Jeffrén Suárez with Diego Capel on the left wing but the change had negligible impact in the opening stages as Scotland settled quicker and carved out the game's first chance, Antonio Adán springing to his right to palm away Calum Elliot's first-time shot after Michael McGlinchey had won possession. Gradually, however, Spain began to dictate the pace of the game and, by denying their opponents the ball, pinned Scotland back inside their own half for long periods.

Spain take command
Clear chances nevertheless proved hard to come by, with Antonio Barragán's speculative effort from distance a sign of Spain's mounting frustration. Andrew McNeil had to react smartly to make a low save from Capel's shot after the Sevilla FC midfielder had cut inside, before Mario Suárez's dipping volley from a corner just cleared the Scotland goalkeeper's crossbar and, as half-time approached, Antonio Calvo directed an angled effort beyond McNeil's outstretched arm and across the face of goal after an incisive move had opened up the Scottish defence.

Bueno beauty
Scotland's resolute rearguard held firm, however, with Tommy Wilson having opted to switch to a five-man midfield in the absence of suspended strikers Steven Fletcher and Robert Snodgrass. The formation had been effective in nullifying Spain's slick passing game in the first 45 minutes but the Spanish finally found a way through six minutes into the second period as a delightful one-touch move sliced Scotland open down the middle with Bueno playing a one-two with Mario Suárez before beating McNeil with a perfect lob from just outside the penalty area.

Piqué role
The Scotland goalkeeper then beat out Toni's first-time shot, although there was nothing he could do two minutes before the hour as Juan Mata's inswinging right-wing corner was met by Gerard Piqué – who had scored twice in the teams' previous meeting – but this time the defender's downward header bounced up and against the crossbar. The centre-back played a crucial role in Spain's second 19 minutes from time, however, selflessly turning Mata's deep free-kick back across goal for Bueno to effectively end the contest. McGlinchey and Simon Ferry had chances to pull a goal back before Dorrans' close-range header set up an tense finale in which the substitute had another effort blocked, but Spain held on to take the trophy.