France and Spain share six goals

The top two sides in Group B came together to produce the outstanding game of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship so far as France and Spain shared six goals in Antalya.

Ebb and flow
France led three times, with the only predictable aspect of an exciting contest being that the Spanish should find a reply on each occasion. Yannis Tafer's first-half strike for Les Bleuets was cancelled out by Thiago of Spain. And Francis Smerecki's team found it equally difficult to keep a lead after the interval, as goals from Clément Grenier and William Remy were equalised by the respective efforts of Pulido and then Thiago.

Shifting fortunes
Dangerous early breaks by Grenier and Spain's Keko were the prelude to the breakthrough made by Tafer – the Olympique Lyonnais forward scoring his second tournament goal from inside the area after collecting a pass from Gueida Fofana. Juan Santisteban's title-holders slowly began to work opposition keeper Anthony Mfa Mezui and, after 31 minutes, they got their reward. From a free-kick, Thiago managed to thread his shot through a crowded penalty box. Lifted by the equaliser, the Spain players began a steadier and swifter trade of passes through midfield although they at times struggled against a physically stronger France.

Set-piece mayhem
The restart was the signal for a flurry of goals. First Grenier restored the French advantage, striking home from 20 metres, before Pulido was on hand to turn in a well-delivered Spain corner and make it 2-2. Almost immediately, Smerecki's men forced a similar dose on Spain as defender Remy side-footed in, on the volley, yet another corner. Gaël Kakuta might have made it 4-2 when his attempt grazed the woodwork. Instead, however, the final score went to Santisteban's charges: Thiago getting his second goal of the night with a free-kick which escaped Mfa Mezui's grasp. Both teams have four points from two games with one to play.