Spain turn on the style

Spain enjoyed a first victory at the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship, second-half goals from María Paz and Marta Torrejón ending the resistance of Group B rivals Poland in Grindavik.

Breakthrough
The heroics of Poland goalkeeper Anna Bocian – including a first-half penalty save from Raquel Peña – had frustrated Ignacio Quereda's side until striker Mari Paz scored from close range on 58 minutes. Centre-back Marta sealed the win with a neat finish 13 minutes from time. The result moved Spain alongside France in the group, two points above the bottom-placed Poles.

Winging it
Quereda had made changes following the first-day defeat by France and one of the newcomers, winger Laura Requena, combined to early effect with Silvia Meseguer, newly deployed alongside Mari Paz in attack. With Spain lining up in a 4-4-2 formation, they played to the flanks whenever possible. Silvia directed a header from Alexandra López's cross over both goalkeeper Bocian and the crossbar, followed by Mari Paz sliding a shot under Bocian and centimetres wide.

Deadlock
When Silvia was brought down inside the Poland box by Marzena Grzelińska soon after the half-hour, opportunity knocked. Raquel took responsibility yet her left-footed penalty was saved to the keeper's right by Bocian. Silvia then sent Mari Paz clear to no avail as Spain continued their search for a first goal at this tournament. If Bocian repelled all Spanish attacks, Poland – who had profited from an own goal to draw with England – were no closer to a breakthrough. Katarzyna Daleszczyk had been centimetres away from releasing strike partner Agata Tarczyńska, before stumbling in Spain's area after escaping her markers.

Game over
The second half brought similar one-way traffic. The impressive Laura forced Bocian into a desperate save, before her next strike was diverted wide by goalkeeper and defenders alike. For the most part, Robert Góralczyk's team had nine bodies behind the ball, although a rare foray forward resulted in Marzena Grzelińska touching a corner into the midriff of Spain custodian Andere Leguina. Finally, though, Mari Paz found a way through, tapping in after Bocian had parried Silvia's low drive. If the goal brought Poland further up the field – with the willing Daleszczyk looking the player most likely to equalise – Spain continued to threaten. Silvia was ruled offside when finishing well past Bocian, moments before captain Marta advanced to turn in Melanie Serrano's cross on 77 minutes. For Poland, the game was up.