Châteauroux celebrates French win

By Andrew Haslam at the Stade Gaston Petit

A Samir Nasri goal one minute from time gave France victory in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals for the first time.

Stunning ending
With the match locked at 1-1 and seemingly destined for silver goal extra time, the French forward picked up possession just outside the Spanish penalty area and drilled a low shot beyond goalkeeper Adán and into the corner of the net. The result meant that Spain have lost to the hosts in the last two finals, having been edged out by Portugal a year ago.

Single change
France coach Philippe Bergeroo made just one change from the side that knocked out the holders in the semi-finals, Maxime Josse giving way to Ognadon Akakpo in defence. Spain trainer Juan Santisteban was without Pecci through suspension, but Piqué returned to bolster the defence after sitting out the semi-final with England. Cristian also came into the starting lineup at the expense of Gotor.

Stunning start
The hosts could not have started the final any better. Jérémy Menez broke into the Spanish penalty area down the right and his cross fell perfectly for Kévin Constant to volley in after just eleven seconds and send the partisan Châteauroux crowd wild.

Early promise
It might have got even better for France minutes later as Hatem Ben Arfa got away down the left, but the striker lacked support and shot straight at Spanish goalkeeper Adán. 

Spanish search
After the shock of falling behind so early in the match, Spain gradually recovered their composure and began to apply pressure to the French defence. Cesc sliced a volley wide in the ninth minute, and two minutes later Javier shot wide from close range as Santisteban's team searched for an equaliser.

Cesc close
France continued to threaten on the counterattack and almost doubled their lead in the 16th minute as Ben Arfa rounded Adán only to run out of play as he tried to cross. It was Spain who held the upper hand, however, and they came agonisingly close to an equaliser on the half-hour as Cesc's free-kick dipped over goalkeeper Benoît Costil only to hit the crossbar.

French threat
The threat France posed on the break was almost perfectly illustrated five minutes later as Menez raced down the left and crossed low for Ben Arfa, but the striker's shot was blocked. Akakpo then headed over shortly before the interval as France sought to double their advantage.

Double substitution
Santisteban made a double change at half-time, introducing Diego and Jonathan, whose contributions in the semi-final had done much to help Spain progress. The Spanish started the second half refreshed and Cesc's shot forced Costil to parry, with Pedraza unable to convert the rebound under pressure from Abdelkarim El Mourabet.

Spanish shots
France reacted quickly, breaking quickly from a Spanish corner and Menez's well-struck shot forced a smart stop from Adán. Carmona and Cesc both missed the target as Spain turned the screw before Jonathan burst down the left and cut in towards goal, but his curling effort was high.

Clever header
The goal Spain's pressure had long threatened finally arrived three minutes past the hour. French substitute Franck Songo'o conceded a corner and from the resulting kick Piqué met the ball at the near post and angled his header into the corner of the net.

Jonathan denied
Two minutes later Spain might have taken the lead as Jonathan tricked his way into the penalty area, but his low shot curled just wide of Costil's right-hand post. Spain were made to rue those misses by Nasri's dramatic late intervention.