Stunning Spain end Irish hopes

Spain Under-19 5 Republic of Ireland Under-19 0:Paul Doolin's side were outclassed by a rampant Spanish side in their European Championship semi-final clash in Chiajna, Romania tonight to bring an end to a fine journey to the last four of the competition.

Spain, four-time winners at this level, go on to meet the Czech Republic in Monday’s final, with the Irish players only real regret coming in their failure to defend a 1-0 lead against the Czechs and hence miss this stunning Spanish outfit in the semis.

It was a clinical attacking display as Gines Melendez’s side were two goals to the good at half-time thanks to fine strikes from Barcelona’s Gerard Deulofeu and Pablo Sarabia, with Irish goalkeeper Aaron McCarey pulling off some fine saves to help keep Spain from running away with things.

Juanmi adding a third shortly after the restart, before Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata then took his tournament tally to six goals with a late double, including a controversial penalty

Although they enjoyed most of the early possession, Spain struggled to create a clear opening until Sergi Gomez struck the outside of a post with a low free-kick in the 20th minute.

Ireland responded with a couple of efforts from Samir Carruthers but found themselves behind in the 27th minute after Deulofeu’s fantastic right-foot strike from distance arced away from Aaron McCarey and inside the far post.

Less than a minute later the goalscorer met Sarabia’s cutback only to shoot just over. Spain continued to press and were awarded an indirect free-kick after McCarey failed to release the ball in time. The Wolves goalkeeper redeemed himself, though, with a flying stop from Sarabia's set piece.

McCarey was helpless again five minutes before the break, however, another spectacular strike doubling Spain’s advantage as Sarabia unleashed a left-footed drive that found the corner of the net.

Any hopes Ireland had faded shortly after the restart when Deulofeu’s pass from then left picked out Juanmi to finish off the underside of the crossbar.

Morata rounded McCarey and slotted in after collecting Juanmi's through pass 11 minutes from time before

Jeffrey Hendrick was adjudged to have handled Ignasi Miquel's chipped pass to concede a penalty in injury time, with replays showing the ball had hit his back. Morato stepped up to send McCarey the wrong way to complete Ireland’s misery.