Report: England CP 2-1 Spain

England qualified for the semi-final of the IFCPF European Championship after beating Spain 2-1 in an end-to-end encounter.

David Porcher gave the Para Lions the lead in the first half before Hector Martin drew Spain level just before half-time.

And in a tense second period, Harry Baker tapped in the winner to spark scenes of celebration for Andy Smith’s side, who will play the Netherlands on Thursday.

England started with plenty of energy but Spain created the first chance of the match, Aketza Requena firing over on six minutes when in space down the right.

Smith's team soon hit the front, though.

Porcher had made a fast start to the match and he found the back of the net after eight minutes, drifting a left-footed effort over the Spanish goalkeeper from a very narrow angle on the right-hand side.

The striker was causing Spain all sorts of problems and was in the thick of things again after 13 minutes, dinking a cross into the box for Matt Robinson but the Para Lion couldn’t get enough on the header.

Spain did nearly equalise midway through the first half but Yerek Martinez couldn’t sort his feet out in time to shoot with enough power from close distance.

Porcher was next to threaten after 20 minutes, forcing Martin Ruiz into a save in the Spain goal with a long-range strike.

Hector Martin soon went close for Spain at the other end, Giles Moore getting down to save his effort after a silky run.

In an end-to-end affair, Porcher dinked an effort over Ruiz but the ball was cleared off the line on 26 minutes.

As Spain attacked again, Martin fired over from close range with time running out in the first half.

But just as England seemed to have got through to the break, Martin did find the net.

Cutting in on his left foot from the right, he buried his effort into the corner and drew the scores level at half-time.

The early moments of the second half were short of goalmouth action, though Sam Dewhirst was booked for a late challenge after 35 minutes.

England made a couple of substitutions to force the issue and one of them, Matthew Crossen, caused a moment of worry for Spain midway through the half by firing low but the effort was blocked and a subsequent scramble came to nothing.

Just as the Para Lions were becoming frustrated, however, they were back in front.

A clever scoop from Liam Irons was helped on by James Blackwell and Baker was on hand to tap in and re-establish the lead for his side.

Shortly afterwards, Crossen headed over the top as Andy Smith’s side aimed to extend their lead.

As Spain dominated possession, England threatened from another set-piece when Blackwell headed down and wide before Crossen bounced a header over the bar.

After five minutes of added time were presented on the board, Moore produced an enormous save to deny Requena and keep his side in front.

It proved to be decisive as England held on and booked their place in the final four.

England: 1 Giles Moore, 2 Liam Irons, 3 Mason Dunbar, 5 Harry Baker, 8 Sam Dewhirst, 9 David Porcher, 14 Matt Robinson

Subs: 7 James Blackwell for Robinson 39', 6 Matthew Crossen for Porcher 40'

Unused subs: 13 Reegan McMillan, 4 Cailen Beckford, 10 Aaron Lucas, 11 Corey Komorowski, 12 Jayden Kenyon

Head coach: Andy Smith