The Chelsea quintet retained their place in the starting XI for the last-four clash following Saturday's 1-0 win over France, with defender Aspin captaining the side against Spain.

England were put under pressure early on with their opponents hitting a close-range shot just wide after only 42 seconds, before goalkeeper Cox was called into action to make a routine stop.

It did not relent for the Young Lionesses, and Blues defender Brown made two vital blocks in the box during the same wave of a Spanish attacking move.

Aspin was next to thwart an opportunity, with the England skipper reading the game well to intercept the ball before it got to the feet of the Spanish attacker, who was waiting only a few yards out from goal.

But it was soon 1-0 to Spain, as the reigning champions took the lead after 25 minutes when Daniela Agote Aguirre found the back of the net from inside the box after latching onto a long ball forward.

England had found their way back into the game and enjoyed a decent spell of their own just before half-time, however, they went into the break 2-0 down after Pau Comendador netted from a corner.

Within two minutes of the second half, the Young Lionesses pulled a goal back through substitute Mia Enderby, who buried the ball into the bottom corner after it was sent in from a free-kick.

However, Spain restored their two-goal advantage in the 68th minute with a curling strike from Daniela Arques Lazaro.

It could have been 4-1 not long after, but Chelsea goalkeeper Cox was alert and made a superb stop from close-range with 15 minutes left to be played.