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England power into semi-finals

England reached the semi-finals of the U21 European Championships with a game to spare thanks to an impressive win over Spain in Gothenburg.

Fraizer Campbell and James Milner scored in the space of six second-half minutes to leave England requiring a draw against Germany on Monday to secure top spot in their group. Stuart Pearce's men even enjoyed the luxury of a missed Milner penalty in the first half and never looked in much trouble against a dreadful Spanish side.

The first 30 minutes was dismal fare. Neither side kept the ball nor created any chances. Only Nedum Onuoha's overhit backpass troubled either keeper, Joe Hart forced into a desperate sliding hack clear from a foot in front of his line.

The penalty came from nowhere. Spain conceded possession in their own half and, after a mazy dribble, Milner was clearly tripped. His penalty was well-struck, but not close enough to the corner. That allowed Andres Sergio Asenjo to make a splendid low save.

England took control of the second half and fully deserved the lead given to them by substitute Campell, who had earlier replaced Gabriel Agbonlahor. Escudero Raul Garcia inadvertantly played in the striker, who then cut inside the final defender and drilled a low left-footer into the corner. Finishing at its best.

The second arrived soon after. Theo Walcott, a 62nd-minute sub, powered clear down the left and cut back for Milner to blast home from near the penalty spot.

Spain never threatened a comeback and now need a miracle to reach the last four. England, meanwhile, are very much on course for a first U21 title since 1984.

Spain U21 0 England U21 2

(Campbell 67, Milner 73, Milner m/p 32)

Full time: An impressive final hour from England after unpromising beginnings has secured their place in the semi-finals of the European Championships. They face Germany in their final group game on Monday and need just a point to top the group.

90 mins: Another desperate long-range shot from Raul Garcia bounces well wide. England are heading into the semi-finals with a game to spare.

88 mins: Richards leaps powerfully to head clear and Jurado hammers miles over.

85 mins: Jurado exchanges a neat one-two with Xisco, but then bends over the bar.

84 mins: England substitution: Gardner replaces Milner.

82 mins: Milner is booked for a rash tackle and is now suspended for the next match.

80 mins: No sign of any real retaliation from Spain, who have been surprisingly poor.

78 mins: Raul Garcia makes sound contact with a free-kick, but he hits straight at Hart whose hands are sure.

75 mins: Richards is booked for a ridiculous lunge on the right touchline.

73 mins: MILNER MAKES IT TWO! What a superb goal from England. The move starts deep in their own half with a couple of nice touches from Cattermole, who pings the ball down the left to Walcott. He turns on the after-burners to skin Javi Garcia and then pulls back for MILNER to drill into the net from near the penalty spot. Campbell did his best to block it, but luckily managed to get out of the way.

68 mins: Spain attack down the left and a cross drifts over Gibbs' head. Martinez fails to connect properly with a right-foot volley.

67 mins: CAMPBELL SCORES! No more than England deserve. Spain make a right mess of things in their own half. An overhit pass actually turns into a perfect through-ball for Campbell. He feigns to shoot, cuts inside the last defender and then lashes a superb left-footer into the bottom corner. Cracking finish.

62 mins: England substitution: Walcott replaces Johnson. Huge reception for the Arsenal winger, taught everything he knows by Southampton's array of high-quality coaches.

61 mins: Milner cuts in from the left flank, but mis-hits his right-footer and Asenjo saves easily, low at his right post.

60 mins: Spain win a free-kick in what you might describe as Beckham territory. Jurado tries to curl one in the top right corner, but Hart reads it and saves with ease.

57 mins: Spain substitution: Bojan replaced by Capel.

56 mins: Two shots in quick succession from Spain, but neither poses Hart any real threat.

54 mins: What on earth is Hart doing here? Martinez gets behind Gibbs, but is virtually on the right touchline and not posing any great danger. Suddenly, Hart is seen rampaging out of his box to confront the Spaniard. It's easy for the winger to skin the out-of-control keeper and then drive a low cross towards Bojan. Thankfully for England, Cranie is there to boot clear from almost under his crossbar.

50 mins: Gibbs takes a knock and needs lengthy treatment.

46 mins: Spain are straight on the attack down the right, but Hart comfortably saves Jurado's long-range effort.

46 mins: Spain get the second half underway.

Half time: An uninspiring first half which should end with England in front. The missed penalty apart, they've enjoyed more of the play. Spain have been utterly abject, a far cry from their brilliant senior side.

45 mins: Milner encapsulates his first half with another over-hit free-kick from a dangerous position. England should clearly be ahead.

40 mins: England work an opening on the left as Johnson is put in by Gibbs. His cross is a rather peculiar lob to the far post where Milner hits on the volley down into the ground, allowing Asenjo to save easily.

39 mins: England substitution: Agbonlahor has obviously done himself some damage somewhere and is replaced by Campbell.

37 mins: Spain's best move of the night involving their two best players, Bojan and Martinez. The former, after exchanging about three one-twos, tries to bend a right-footer into the top right corner and is only just off target.

35 mins: England look the stronger team now. Spain seem to have little pace and a surprising inability to pass to their own men.

32 mins: ASENJO SAVES! Splendid save from the keeper, low to his right. Milner struck it well, but didn't find the corner.

31 mins: PENALTY TO ENGLAND! Spain give the ball away deep in their own territory. Milner runs at the Garcia who clearly trips him. Milner will take it.

31 mins: Much, much better from England who again pass the ball neatly - this time on the left - before Muamba has a crack but is high and wide.

29 mins: From the corner, Asenjo comes off his line, but doesn't claim. Richards twice attempts to work it back into the box, but there's a mass of players around him and Spain's keeper belatedly gathers.

28 mins: England finally keep possession for more than two passes. Eventually the ball is worked wide to Milner who supplies his best delivery of the night. Agbonlahor's flick header is a yard over the bar.

24 mins: Milner arcs in a free-kick, but it has too much loft and Asenjo leaps high to claim.

20 mins: England, as ever, look completely incapable of keeping the ball and Spain are not much better. This really is turgid stuff. I already think it's got 0-0 written all over it.

15 mins: Martinez has a go from distance, but he couldn't be further off target if he tried.

13 mins: After the most soporific of beginnings, the game nearly sees its first goal in bizarre fashion. Onuoha is under no pressure on the edge of the box, but has no options either. So he passes back to Hart only to misjudge where the keeper is. It's heading into an unguarded net until Hart races back, slides and hooks the ball to safety.

8 mins: England work the ball wide for Milner, on the left this time, to strike a first-time cross, but it's too high for everyone. Very subdued stuff.

6 mins: A very cagey start from both sides. Or in another word, boring!

1 min: England work an early opening with Milner crossing low from just outside the box on the right, but Agbonlahor stabs well wide under pressure.

0 mins: England kick off knowing victory will take them into the semi-finals.

Teams
Spain: Jurado, Garcia, Garcia, Torrejon, Suarez, Monreal, Martinez, Adrian, Asenjo, Bojan, Azpilicueta.
England: Hart, Cranie, Richards, Onuoha, Gibbs, Cattermole, Muamba, Noble, Milner, Johnson, Agbonlahor