IRELAND’S UEFA U19 Championship title bid has drawn to a close at the semi-final stage.
Paul Doolin’s side were out-classed by a very impressive Spanish side on a scoreline of 5-0 in Bucharest this evening.
Ireland were two goals down at the break after 17-year-old Barcelona player Deulofeu and skipper Sarabia struck.
The game was effectively over when, moments after the break, Juanmi finished another clinical Spanish break with a goal.
Real Madrid man Morata then took himself to the top of the tournament scoring charts as he rounded Aaron McCarey in the Irish goal to finish before he converted another from the spot in added time.
Earlier, the Czech Republic booked their place in the final for the first as they saw off Serbia 4-2.
Jaroslav Hřebík’s side were three goals to the good through Tomáš Přikryl, Tomáš Kalas and Tomáš Jeleček – the latter a penalty – before 20 minutes had been played. Djordje Despotović’s quickfire brace brought Serbia back into the contest by the 28th minute, but Jiří Skalák sealed the result late on.
Ireland: McCarey, Williams, Egan, O’Connor, Hendrick, Carruthers (Wearen 62), O’Sullivan, Murphy (Smith 46), Forde, Murray (Knight 71), Shaughnessy.
Spain: Badia, Carvajal (Blázquez 82), Gómez, Miquel, Aurtenetxe, Pardo, Morata, Álex, Sarabia (Gallego 66), Juanmi, Deulofeu (Alcácer 80).
