Despite having beaten France to lift the European Under-19 Championship trophy for a record 12th time this summer, Spain went into their final match of the initial three-game qualifying stage for next year’s tournament in Romania knowing only a win would prevent an early exit from the competition.

Although they beat the Faroe Islands 3-0 in their opening game, defeat to Kosovo last time out left everything riding on this afternoon’s meeting with Austria, as Guiu led the line up front from the start.

They were up against stubborn opposition, though, and it was not until the 90th minute that the crucial moment arrived, when substitutes Alejandro Monserrate and Pablo Garcia combined for the latter to net the only goal of the game.

That moved Spain above Kosovo into second place on goal difference, as the top three all ended on six points, meaning they progress to the elite stage of qualifying in March.

England Under-19s had already recorded back-to-back victories in this three-game qualifying group – all held over a single international break – to secure their place in March’s elite round with a match to spare.

They finished the job with a 0-0 draw against Belgium to ensure they progress with an unbeaten record and as group winners.

Josh Acheampong retained his place in the starting line-up as he had for the previous two games, and this time he was joined by fellow Blues Kiano Dyer, Tyrique George and Shumaira Mheuka, while Harrison Murray-Campbell replaced Acheampong for the final half an hour.

It was an even contest between two teams keen to take the top spot, but chances were few and far between as neither side managed to find a breakthrough, a goalless result which left England the happier of the two teams.

Elsewhere, Harry McGlinchey played the full 90 minutes for the Republic of Ireland Under-18s against Portugal. They had drawn against hosts Croatia last time out in this three-game friendly tournament, and were goalless against the Portuguese at half-time on Tuesday afternoon, but a flurry of finishes after the break condemned them to a 4-0 loss, leaving them bottom of the table with one point.

While Leo Cardoso was part of the Portugal Under-19 side that won 2-0 away against Czech Republic.