Serbia U21 0-1 Spain U21: Denis Suarez fires favourites into semi-finals

Tournament favourites Spain made it three wins from three with a 1-0 victory over ten-man Serbia.

Barring a remarkable swing in goal difference, the Spaniards had already booked their place in the semi-finals of the tournament before a ball was kicked.

And it allowed manager Albert Celades to use his side’s amazing strength in-depth to make 11 changes to the side that beat Portugal.

In came highly-rated Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez and it was the 23-year-old who opened the scoring after 38 minutes.

Some brilliant work by Real Sociedad’s Alvaro Odriozola, coming in for Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin, allowed him to whip in a cross before Suarez slammed the ball home.

Spain should have been two ahead a minute later but Carlos Soler missed when it looked easier to score.

Serbia’s chances of getting back into the clash took a major dent moments before half-time when captain Uros Djurdjevic picked up his second yellow card for a vicious elbow on his opponent.

And with the man advantage Spain barely had to get out of second gear after half-time.

Suarez came close to doubling his tally but the keeper was alive to keep the ball out.

Spain were far from their best but manager Celades will be delighted that he could rest his first-team stars ahead of the last four next Tuesday.