Brahimi fires France into last four

Yacine Brahimi's first-half goal was enough to earn France a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship and end the interest of four-time winners Spain.

Runners-up
Brahimi's 27th-minute finish was just reward for a dynamic start by Jean Gallice's team, who qualify unbeaten as runners-up in Group B behind Serbia following the section winners' 1-0 defeat of Turkey. The only sour note for Les Petits Bleus was a yellow card for Yann M'Vila which rules the midfielder out of the last-four tie.

Mariño save
France's need to win in order to stay in the competition was reflected in their policy of pressing Spain high up the field, although it was La Roja who had the first effort when Jordi Pablo whipped a free-kick straight at Rémi Pillot. The movement of France's attacking players was causing Spain problems and only a block from goalkeeper Diego Mariño kept out Damien Le Tallec after the striker was played in by Emmanuel Rivière's clever reverse pass.

Cool finish
Spain responded with Oriol testing Pillot on 26 minutes but France had been threatening from the off and it was no surprise when they went in front 60 seconds later. Lively left-winger Brahimi used the overlapping run of Tripy Makonda as a decoy and, after cutting inside and exchanging passes with Ryad Boudebouz, stroked the ball across Mariño.

Woodwork struck
The Stade Rennais FC player was enjoying himself and threatened again two minutes later, running on to Le Tallec's pass and firing straight at Mariño, before the half ended with Le Tallec heading Sébastien Corchia's cross against the crossbar. Heading through, France were content to sit back after the break and, as a result, allowed Spain to develop a head of steam.

Changes
Milla threw on Dani Aquino, their five-goal top scorer in qualifying, for Fran Mérida in a desperate bid to stay in the tournament, a change which almost paid immediate dividends when he controlled a cross from fellow replacement Canales and volleyed over. France's threat was minimal as Spain continued to push on but, an effort from Joselu aside, they never looked like saving their tournament hopes and ended with ten men following Oriol's red card for a challenge on Corchia.