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The first game to kick off the second round of group stage fixtures was an exciting match-up that saw Belgium U21 take on the Spain U21. Both teams looked to gain all three points as they looked to bounce back from their opening defeats.
Spain kicked off the game at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore with an exciting prospect in store.
It was Spain who made the braver start who within the first five minutes earned consecutive corners with them getting cleared away from danger.
Belgium thought they opened the scoring with Dodi Lukebakio getting on the end of a through ball, rounding Antonio Sivera and slotting it into the back of the net but the goal was quickly ruled out due to the Belgian forward being offside.
40 seconds later, Carlos Soler worked the ball down the wing and found a pass that got to Dani Olmo’s feet and volleyed the ball into the bottom corner, subsequently opening the scoring for Spain.
Just before the ten minute mark, Mikel Oyarzabal found himself on the wing and was able to pass the ball along the box to Borja Mayoral but the latter saw his shot go over the bar.
With 12 minutes gone in the game, Spain won a free-kick roughly 25 yards away from goal with Dani Ceballos over the ball. He saw his effort go narrowly wide of the post.
The first 15 minutes saw Spain have more attacking threat and also have more possession of the ball with their calm tiki-taka style of passing. Although Belgium did carry a threat on the attack with Lukebakio and Issac Mbenza running behind the Spanish defenders.
Belgium levelled the scoring in the 24th minute as a fantastic in-swinging corner was headed back across goal by Dion Cools with Sebastiaan Bornauw heading it into the goal. Despite the Spanish players clearing the ball, the goal stood as it crossed the line.
Spain tried to regain their lead in the 33rd minute as Dani Ceballos attempted to score, he dribbled into the box and his low shot was pushed out the post by Belgium goalkeeper Ortwin De Wolf.
A minute later, Soler ran to the by-line and passed the ball across goal with Ceballos’ shot fired straight at De Wolf.
Spain attacked yet again, Soler took a shot just outside the area that forced a routine save from the Belgian goalkeeper.
The referee blew his whistle for half-time with the score at 1-1. Spain dominated possession with 65% of the ball and having most of the chances to score.
Nonetheless, Belgium looked happy to defend Spain’s attack and looked dangerous on the counter with Lukebakio and Mbenza extremely dangerous especially running behind the Spanish defenders.
Belgium kicked off the second-half and looked to attack Spain’s backline to try and gain an early advantage in the game with an early goal but nothing came from their quick attack.
A cross from the right-wing was headed by Pablo Fornals which again forced a rourine save by De Wolf.
In the 54th minute, Ceballos struck a free-kick which saw it hit the bar and bounce out off the line with the follow up from Borja Mayoral cleared away from danger. A tremendous effort from the Real Madrid midfielder nearly saw him regain his team’s lead.
15 minutes into the second-half saw Spain regain their advantage, attacking relentlessly but did not score a goal from their dangerous chances from set pieces and open play.
A big chance from Dani Ceballos saw his effort from a lovely Fornals pass go well over the crossbar.
De Wolf was forced to make a set of great saves. Firstly a cross from Junior Firpo saw Fornals strike it at the shot-stopper and the Belgian made a double save stopping Olmo’s and Firpo’s efforts in quick succession.
Belgium had a chance to break after a Spanish corner was collected by Lukebakio who ran at Spain’s trailing defenders and passed it to substitute Aaron Leya Isaka who took too much time and couldn’t get his shot away.
Spain regained their lead with Jesus Vallejo intercepting a Belgium counter-attack and his pass fell to Ceballos who passed it to Fornals who struck the ball hard, making it’s way into the back of the net.
The referee blew the whistle for full-time with Spain picking up a vital victory leaving the Belgian’s on zero points after two games. Thanks to the West Ham bound Fornals, Spain has three and still have the chance to advance from the group stage.
Starting Line-ups
Spain: Antonio Sivera; Martin Aguirregabiria, Jesus Vallejo (c), Jorge Mere, Junior Firpo; Carlos Soler (Pablo Fornals 46′), Dani Ceballos, Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal (Alfonso Pedraza 69′); Dani Olmo; Borja Mayoral (Rafa Mir 69′).
Belgium: Ortwin De Wolf: Dion Cools, Wout Faes, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Elias Cobbaut; Orel Mangala (Francis Amuzu 58′), Bryan Heynen (Alexis De Sart 78′), Siebe Schrijvers (c), Samuel Bastien; Dodi Lukebakio, Isaac Mbenza (Aaron Leya Iseka 69′).
