Bitter-sweet for Daley

Steve Daley marked his 50th appearance for England with a brace, but it was a bitter-sweet night for the skipper as the Three Lions slipped to a 9-3 defeat.

The captain notched a goal in each half but the visitors were always on top on Wednesday night and ran out comfortable winners.

Both teams started confidently but it was England who took the lead when Daley hit the roof of the net with a thunderous strike from the halfway line.

England’s celebrations were short lived, however, as Spain’s Fransisco Varela finished off a well worked move just three minutes later.

As the half progressed Spain’s skill began to tell with Varela taking his second, coolly struck low and hard into the bottom corner before Alejandro Hervas finished off a slick Spanish move in the tenth minute. A late goal by Luis Granizo made it 4-1 at the break.

The second half started well for Graham Keeley’s squad with Daley scoring another long-range strike, which gave England a glimmer of hope.

Once again Spain came back and looked hungry to score, with action swinging from end-to-end. Both teams looked dangerous in attack but it was Spain who broke the deadlock with another long-range shot from the half way line by Ivan Jimenez.

With Spain continuing the pressure and the England defence looking vulnerable on occasions, Carlos Oubina scored two in quick succession as the Spanish tally rocketed up to seven.

With ten minutes to go Varela slotted his third past Janaid Khan. Not content with leaving the score at eight, Spain pushed for another and after hitting the post it was once again Varela who netted his fourth and his country's ninth.

England’s passion remained as they continued to push forward, scoring a well-deserved consolation goal by Colin McCall.

Graham Keeley and the England team now prepare for Thursday evening’s match against Italy, where they are still in with a chance of reaching the final.

England: Mackie, McCall, McCarthy, Thomas, Lang, McDougal, Nolan, Daley, Khan, Kelly.

Spain: Martin, Parejo, Sanchez, Jimenez, Hervas, Varela, Granizo, Martinez, Oubina, Moratalla.