Spain beat France 1-0 to set up a semi-final meeting with Turkey at the IBSA Blind Football European Championships ©RNC/James Bill

Defending champions Spain secured their passage through to the semi-finals of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Blind Football European Championships in Hereford, England after a narrow 1-0 victory against France.

Both sides went into the match knowing that a win would earn them a last-four berth but it was Spain who grasped the opportunity thanks to Javier Munoz, who fired home from close range after beating two men in the second-half. 

Defeat for France left them relying on a win for Greece against Russia in the day’s second Group B encounter.

It wasn’t to be however as Russia claimed a 1-0 victory by virtue of Denis Egorov’s late strike.

Russia now face a semi-final clash with England, who made it four wins out of four in Group A by coming from behind to beat Turkey 2-1.

Hasan Satay successfully converted a six-metre penalty to put Turkey in front shortly before half-time.

But despite conceding their first goal of the tournament, England hit back after the break with Roy Turnham scoring from a free-kick before man-of-the-match Dan English completed the turnaround in the last minute of an enthralling encounter.

England defeated Turkey 2-1 to qualify for the last four as Group A winners
England defeated Turkey 2-1 to qualify for the last four as Group A winners ©RNC/James Bill

Like their opponents, Turkey had already secured their place in the semi-finals prior to the match after Germany had earlier failed to score the necessary number of goals in their triumph against Italy to give themselves a chance of qualification.

With their goal difference nine worse off before the fixture, Germany needed to win by a more considerable margin to put pressure on Turkey, but as it turned out, they could only manage a solitary goal through Taime Kuttig.

Following a rest day tomorrow, England play Russia in the first of Friday’s (August 28) semi-finals before Turkey take on Spain.

Matches will also take place for the right to finish fifth, seventh and ninth.



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