England have lost 3-1 to Spain in the U19 European Championship semis.

Coach Noel Blake's side failed to emulate their achievement of 12 months ago when they reached the final but they could have no complaints about the outcome.

Spain knocked the ball around in confident style and went ahead after 12 minutes through Liverpool's Daniel Pacheco who converted a ball cut back across the area by the impressive Sergio Canales.

England were forced into a change four minutes later when Aston Villa's Nathan Baker suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced by Tottenham's John Bostock.

Spain continued to impress and a spell of possession ended after 34 minutes when Keko exchanged passes with Pacheco before beating keeper Declan Rudd with a left-footed shot after a weaving run into the box.

Eight minutes before the interval Bostock reduced the arrears with a low 20-yard volley before he was yellow carded shortly afterwards for a challenge on Martin Montoya.

Rodrigo should have restored Spain's two-goal advantage after 53 minutes but shot wide from close range after seizing on to Montoya's low cross.

But it came as no surprise when Canales made it 3-1 three minutes later following a well-worked free-kick move.