By Dan Harrison

Nathan Delfouneso and Nathan Baker saw their Euro U19 Championship hopes come to an end as England were beaten 3-1 by Spain in the semi-finals.

The Villa duo started the contest in St-Lo but were powerless to stop an impressive Spanish team from sealing their place in the final.

However, England can reflect on the trip positively, having reached the last four and secured a spot in next year's U20 World Cup in Columbia.

Delfouneso almost helped Noel Blake's team to the perfect start when he skipped past Marti Montoya on the left and his centre was met by Jacob Mellis, but goalkeeper Alex turned it around the post.

There was disappointment for Baker, though, who was forced off with just 18 minutes on the clock after falling awkwardly following a challenge with Keko.

Six minutes earlier, Spain took a deserved lead when Keko pulled a cross back to the far side of the area for Daniel Pachecho, who drilled a shot into the bottom corner.

The Spanish dictated the first-half proceedings, although England did manage to carve out a few chances towards the end of the period.

Delfouneso looked particularly menacing. Matthew James played a quick ball into space and Frank Nouble knocked it past him.

The ball was rolling towards goal with Delfouneso in hot pursuit but Montoya got back to clear the danger.

Five minutes later, Spain undid England with a wonderfully worked second goal.

The move started and ended with captain Keko, who burst into the box after collecting a back heel for Sergio Canales, before slipping a shot past Declan Rudd.

But England hit back on 37 minutes with a goal of equal quality.

Delfouneso headed on Thomas Cruise's cross and his flick-on fell for John Bostock who struck a fine volley into the bottom corner.

The Young Lions gave a good account of themselves after the break but were hit with a third goal on 56 minutes.

Oriol Romeu shaped to shoot from a free-kick before lifting a deft pass over the wall for Real Madrid starlet Canales.

He got away from the defenders and slotted home from eight yards.

England had a couple of half chances in the closing stages but Spain managed to see out the contest and book their place in the final against hosts France.