Henry shoots down Spain

France began their Group B campaign with a 1-0 victory over Spain, earned by Amandine Henry's 81st-minute goal in Kopavogur.

Narrow margin
There had been little to separate these two former winners of the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship until Henry struck to condemn a resilient Spain to defeat on the tournament's opening day in Iceland.

Early exchanges
Henry had kicked off by exploiting the pace of right-winger Charlotte Loze, who prompted a first stop from Spain goalkeeper Andere Legina. It was Spain's central midfielders, though, who claimed early control, with Georgina Carreras, Joana Flaviano and Silvia Meseguer keeping good possession.

Protagonists
Next their captain and centre-half Marta Torrejón impressed, recovering to outpace France forward Marie-Laure Delie. Marta was grateful to her keeper on the quarter-hour when a cross eluded Melanie Serrano and Andere saved Eugénie Le Sommer's shot. Then Henry surged down the right and into Spain's area before pulling the ball back for Loze whose attempt was blocked. Physically strong, if not the tallest team member, Henry was becoming their key component.

Comfortable
Le Sommer had a second chance on 25 minutes but drove this at Andere following another Loze centre. Stéphane Pilard's ensemble, comfortable in a 4-4-2 formation, looked the dominant outfit. Yet trouble arose when Joana's midfield break took her past Livia Jean and the big defender brought the Spaniard down. A slip by Laura Agard then gave Mari Paz Vilas space to shoot.

Shifting momentum
Mari Paz had been ploughing a lone furrow in attack, despite Spain coach Ignacio Quereda deploying wingers in Miriam Domínguez and Raquel Peña. It was Raquel who tricked her way into the France box, only for Jean's lunge to deny her as Spain ended the first half on the front foot. The second period began with several dangerous, if unconverted, crosses into Spanish territory from Henry, Le Sommer and Elodie Cordier. Loze was substituted on 57 minutes for Gwenaelle Butel, who immediately supplied Chloé Mazaloubeaud to thunder a shot against Andere.

The difference
France's changes – with Jean's withdrawal through injury worrying Pilard – interrupted their flow and Spain improved, with Raquel and Mari Paz providing more of a threat. This intensified with a succession of corners, one of which goalkeeper Karima Benameur clawed from under her crossbar. Yet just when a draw appeared inevitable, Henry made the difference. Cordier passed across the edge of the area to her centrally placed skipper, who struck a right-footed shot beyond Andere.