Welbeck snatches point for England

DANNY WELBECK scored a dramatic late equaliser to spare England a controversial but deserved defeat in their European U21 Championship opener against Spain.

Completely outplayed almost from the first whistle, Stuart Pearce’s Young Lions fell behind to Ander Herrera’s 14th-minute goal, which he netted with his hand from point-blank range.

But Welbeck popped up two minutes from time — looking narrowly offside — to slot home and snatch a priceless point in the Group B clash in Herning.

“We have to learn the lessons — and we can play a lot better than that,” said Pearce. “It’s all to play for and it’ll go to the last game.”

Pearce sprung a surprise by omitting Jack Rodwell and Fabrice Muamba, deploying captain Michael Mancienne in midfield. But it failed to prevent England’s opponents dominating possession in a way in which has become the hallmark of Spanish sides.

Yet the manner in which England fell behind was as surprising as it was controversial, considering their perceived superiority at set pieces.

Mancienne may have been blocked off as Spain captain Javi Martinez rose unchallenged to power a header goalward, which Herrera turned in from a yard out. Replays suggested it was Herrera’s hand had the final touch.

Spain continued to starve their opponents of possession, content to probe for openings, and two nearly arrived in quick succession when Thiago Alcantara sidestepped Mancienne and ballooned over before Chris Smalling cut out Juan Mata’s ball to Adrian.

England showed marginally more intent at the start of the second half but Spain soon settled back into their rhythm. Herrera almost doubled their lead in the 58th minute when his drive took a wicked deflection off Smalling, bringing out an outstanding stop from Frankie Fielding.

Herrera then hesitated at the end of a fine Spain move, allowing Smalling and Phil Jones to throw their bodies in front of his finish.

The game seemed to be drifting towards an inevitable conclusion until England equalised out of nothing two minutes from time.

Spain’s defence went to sleep as their opponents committed more men forward than they had all game and Walker’s ball found its way to Welbeck, who slotted home with ease.

Mata’s finish deflected through to Fielding and Lansbury curled narrowly over in stoppage-time as both sides pushed for a winner.

SPAIN: De Gea, Montoya, Botia, Dominguez, Didac, Thiago, Javi Martinez, Ander (Capel 86), Mata, Adrian (Pareja 72), Jeffren (Bojan 80).

ENGLAND: Fielding, Walker, Smalling, Jones, Bertrand, Cleverley (Sinclair 81), Henderson, Mancienne, Rose (Lansbury 67), Welbeck, Sturridge.

Referee: Markus Strombergsson (Sweden).