Clinical Spain get the better of France

Spain opened their UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group A campaign in Liechtenstein with a 2-1 victory against France, captain Paco striking the decisive blow six minutes from time.

Spain coach Ginés Meléndez dubbed his team's section as "the group of champions" and an opening assignment against France, whom they have twice met in an U17 finals showpiece, gave credence to such pre-tournament hype. Often outpassed and outmuscled, Spain's eminently superior cutting edge saw them through, Juan Bernat's header and Paco's late finish enough to cancel out Anthony Koura's second-half equaliser.

France, though, had belied their best runners-up route to qualification with the far more accomplished early showing in possession. The vim of Abdoulaye Doucouré in central midfield and the sheer presence of lone striker Yaya Sanogo were enough for Guy Ferrier's side to offer the more convincing threat but, a Doucouré free-kick aside, Spain goalkeeper Adrián Ortolá's palms were barely warmed by the time his side went in front on 24 minutes.

The ever-sprightly Jesé Rodríguez's darting run provided the impetus for the attack, Víctor Álvarez supplied the cross and Bernat applied the back-post header that evaded Alphonse Aréola. It was a goal befitting of a more direct approach to that employed by their opponents but one which they rarely threatened to build on until Víctor's crunching shot whistled wide midway through the second half.

France looked equally lacking in menace after the break before taking a leaf out of their opponents' book to draw level. Half-time substitute Paul Pogba produced out pinpoint pass from the left touchline and fellow replacement Koura lifted the ball over the approaching Ortolá with real aplomb after 65 minutes.

France's momentum was brief, however, as Wesley Yamnaine was dismissed for a second bookable offence ten minutes from time. Spain sensed victory was again attainable and, fittingly, it was through the vision of Jesé that they prevailed, the imaginative No7 picking out Paco for his captain to stroke home with ease.