UEFA European U17 Football Championship Group Stage: Spain U17 2-0 Northern Ireland U17. Spain's talented young generation began their European U17 Championship campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over a resilient Northern Ireland side. The Spanish youngsters, true to their philosophy, dominated possession from the start and broke the deadlock with a clever team move finished by their captain. Northern Ireland defended stoutly for large periods but conceded a second goal early in the second half from a direct free-kick that curled into the top corner. Spain controlled the tempo thereafter, with their goalkeeper largely untested, though Northern Ireland did have a late chance cleared off the line. The win puts Spain in a strong position in their group, while Northern Ireland will look to bounce back in their next fixture. The Spanish coach was pleased with his team's control and maturity, and the Northern Irish manager highlighted the defensive effort and the learning experience for his players. Spain's lineup featured several players from La Liga academies, showcasing their technical superiority.