Spain and Italy kids all rise to the occasion
In Group A of the European Under-21 Championships in Italy, three of the four countries were still in with a chance of reaching the semi-finals. Spain had to defeat Poland last night to have any chance of progressing, and they did so with aplomb, running out 5-0 winners.
The Poles were blown away inside Bologna’s Stadio Renato Dall’ara, and the Spaniards were three up by half-time. West Ham’s Pablo Fornals opened the scoring in 17 minutes, and the second from Mikel Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad on 35 minutes was followed up by Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz finding the net just four minutes later.
And things got even better on 71 minutes when Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid made it four.
The Poles’ destruction was completed right on full-time when Borja Mayoral of Levante netted the fifth.
The Spaniards duly celebrated making the next stage of the competition.
In last night’s other tie at the Stadio Città del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia, hosts Italy could top the group by beating Belgium, who were already eliminated. They won 3-1 and they must now wait to see if they’ll go through as best-placed runner-up.
It took until the 44th minute before they broke the deadlock. Nicolo Barella of Cagliari finally broke the tension by translating his side’s dominance and pressure into a goal. Eight minutes into the second half, Patrick Cutrone of AC Milan doubled the Italians’ lead but they were made to sweat after Verschaeren pulled a goal back 11 minutes from time. A minute from time, however, Fiorentina starlet Federico Chiesa popped up to secure the points.
In injury time, Belgium’s Isaac Mbenza, who plays for Huddersfield Town, was sent off for a second yellow card.
Underdogs Uganda sprang a surprise at the Africa Cup of Nations with a convincing 2-0 victory over a disappointing DR Congo side in Group A.
Patrick Kaddu’s flicked near-post header opened the scoring in the 14th minute, and DR Congo’s problems worsened when Emmanuel Okwi found the target shortly after the restart with a glancing, looping header. Substitute Jonathan Bolingi hit the crossbar as DR Congo tried to find a response but they produced little in the way of a threat in the final 20 minutes.
In Group B, Nigeria defeated Burundi 1-0, thanks to a goal from Odion Ighalo 13 minutes from time.
Brazil finally found their form in the Copa America, thrashing Peru 5-0. Casemiro, Roberto Firmino, Everton, Dani Alves and Gabriel Jesus all scored.