Turkey through despite loss to England

Turkey are through to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship semi-finals despite defeat in their last Group B game by England.

Having won all eight of their previous matches in their campaign, including two in these finals, England came from behind with a Saido Berahino equaliser and Robert Hall penalty to finish five points clear at the top of the group. But the Czech Republic's 0-0 draw with Greece meant Turkey held on to second place and on Thursday they meet Spain while England play France.

England's progress was assured before kick-off and all seven substitutes in Friday's 1-0 defeat of Greece were given starts today. Turkey were unchanged from the 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic and were immediately on the attack, Çağrı Tekin feeding Artun Akçakin to force a save from Jack Butland, the reserve goalkeeper for the previous games.

Butland, also tipped away two fine angled strikes from Artun but the pressure told in the 31st minute, Taşkın Çalış's deep corner finding Servan Taştan, whose volley into the ground bounced high for Okan Derıcı to head in just ahead of Butland. However, only four minutes later Berahino – only called up last Tuesday night to replace injured Chuks Aneke – received a Luke Williams cross before turning and jinking in the box, wrong-footing several defenders before stabbing the ball inside the post.

Five minutes into the second half Benik Afobe, one of the four starters remaining from three days earlier, nearly emulated Berahino but his eventual shot was blocked by Turkey No1 Alperen Uysal. Just past the hour mark, though, the keeper brought down Afobe in the box and could not keep out Hall's penalty. Afobe came close with a header late on but Turkey knew by then that defeat did not spell elimination.