Spain U19 progressed to the semi-finals of the U19 European Championships in Greece on goal difference, drawing 1-1 to Aron Winter's Netherlands side.

The Dutch looked very good in the opening five minutes but Spain hit well on the break, Marco Asensio doing brilliantly to force Mirani to strike past his own goalkeeper as Spain took an early lead.

Pelle Van Amersfoort responded for the Netherlands in the second half, netting a penalty he earned himself.

Yet, despite fading out in the game, Spain earned the draw necessary to progress, with Germany and Russia also drawing.

The Netherlands finished 3rd in Group B, sitting above Germany on goal difference as all four teams finished on 4 points.

Spain go through to U19 Euro semi-finals

Spain got the game underway as the referee worked with his counterparts at the Germany game against Russia to co-ordinate kick offs in the final Group B game.

Netherlands quickly stole the ball off the Spanish defence, pressing very high to earn possession quickly, showing the intent to get an early lead.

Netherlands dominate possession in opening stages

The first five minutes were very much in Aron Winter's Netherlands side's favour. Possession wasn't creating chances but the entire side settled on the ball quickly, and with players like Bilal Ould-Chikh and Pelle van Amersfoort, they knew that one bursting run could provide all they needed.

Sanniez skipped in and out of two players with Amersfoort in the area but the cross from Mirani wasn't good enough.

Ould-Chikh's cross from the left flank was poor and into the Spanish defence's feet before Mayoral's pace and movement saw him break through. Drommel rushed out quickly to meet it well.

Mirani scores own goal to give Spain 8th minute lead

Yet Spain came straight back up to challenge the Netherlands defence again. Asensio was key to the attack, as he drove down the right flank, he nipped quickly for a one-two, giving and going at great speed before drilling the ball across the face of goal for Mirani to stick in the back of his own net.

The Netherlands looked as calm as ever despite conceding in the first ten minutes. Asensio for Spain was in fine form though, this time using the outside of his boot to simply float the ball into the area for Mayoral. Yet his touch was heavy and Drommel palmed it away well.

Kallon did well to regain the ball after Aaron Caricol tackled well. His cross came over, bypassing the first Netherlands player, wearing white, before Vallejo was shying away as shouts for handball came.

Yet, with the ball moving away from the goal and his hand accidentally swiping at the ball, the referee shook his head quickly to drive away the protests.

It was Owusu who was penalised for a handball, with a long floater rising over his head, he tried to his his outstretched hand but the linesman noticed and blew up.

Marco Asensio's free-kick was just as good as his impact with the first goal, curling beautifully towards the near right post, yet it curled just too far as Drommel watched it wide.

Abelhak Nouri, Netherlands captain, refused to try and replicate Asensio's effort, instead crossing to van Amersfoort but a hand crept up from the Dutchman and Spain earned the free-kick in their own area.

Asensio continued to main figure of the match, cutting inside with his teammate causing the distraction on the right flank, drawing the defender away. With a great amount of space to capitalise on, Asensio wasted the chance, this time curling it too close to Drommel as he caught easily.

Mirani's poor second half continued, picking up a booking for a foul on Dani Ceballos having already scored past his own keeper.

After a quick 'cooling break' for both sides, Asensio had a free-kick punched away by Drommel, running off his line very quickly to meet the cross.

Dani showed some beautiful footwork to make something out of nothing, driving through three players, feinting in every direction before crossing for a corner.

Netherlands looked unable to create anything, but Ouwejan had a first time volley bounce horribly wide, spinning off, as Spain dominated possession and chances.

Dani, ever confident and skillful on the ball, slipped through the Dutch defence with a beautiful weighted ball at his feet but a toe poke past Drommel, making it hard for him, dribbled past the far post.

Asensio and Mayoral were in the box waiting for a cross near half time but the ball was cleared well by the Netherlands side, the majority of which were defending, with little attacks in the first half for them.

The Netherlands came out for the second half with more intent, more aggressiveness and better quality. Owusu did brilliantly to chop it away from the byline, leaving his marker on the floor, before his cross to Nouri could only end up with the ball over the bar as the Netherlands captain got too far underneath it.

Augustine Loof had come on for Owehan at half time, with Ould-Chikh being replaced by Tarik Kada as well.

Owusu looked in fine form after creating an early chance. His cross into van Amersfoort saw the 6" 4' Dutchman rise and force the foul from Jorge Meré. Van Amersfoort turned and fell to the floor as Andris Treimanis blew his whistle for the penalty.

Van Amersfoort equalisers for Netherlands

Van Amersfoort calmly struck it well past Silvera into the right bottom corner to level things up for the Netherlands. 

Borja did excellently on the right flank, with a stunningly perfect floated cross to Mayoral. Yet instead of using his head, the Spaniard struck it on the volley, just hitting the sidenetting.

No more clear chances came as the game turned far more scrappy, with Spain sitting in their own area due to Netherlands pressure.

The cards and warnings came out frequently, Kallon and Borja picked up bookings as the referee spoke fiercly to player after player.

Dani's impact had lessened as he tired but he produced a beautiful pass through to Mayoral. Yet their fatigue showed as the choice to shoot came before the choice to cross from a difficult angle, as Netherlands still looked able to compete well physically.

Yet, despite being better than Spain, their defence looked too open. It was the halftime substitute who let his attacker slip past him, as the trip followed the bursting player in space.

Mayoral left or Carlos Fernandez with 5 minutes left after a second half of limited chances for the Spaniard to finish.

Dani drove across the edge of the area, looking for an opening to shoot but he was scythed down by Lartey Sanniez for a free-kick almost too close to score from.

Asensio's free-kick was curling low but a huge deflection took it wide, almost putting it past a stranded Drommel.

Dani, again, almost set up a very late winner as he layed it off to Cheikh on the edge of the area. Drommel produced a fantastic save to deny him, however, and the final whistle blew soon after.

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About the author
Harry Robinson
Deputy Editor-in-Chief at VAVEL UK, and Manchester United Editor.