Spain, dominant at senior level where they are world and
European champions, sealed their third continental Under-21 title thanks to a
first-half header from Herrera and an audacious free kick from Alcantara in the
81st minute.
Switzerland, who had been seeking their first trophy,
managed to shackle the Spaniards well in the opening half hour in Aarhus and
could have gone ahead when Xherdan Shaqiri half-volleyed a shot that goalkeeper
David De Gea had to punch away.
Instead, the Swiss defense was breached for the first time
in the tournament as Didac Vila's pinpoint cross found Herrera arriving at
pace, and the midfielder planted his header firmly past keeper Yann Sommer at
the near post in the 41st minute.
Innocent Emeghara had a great chance to put Switzerland
back on level terms after 52 minutes but he scuffed his shot straight at De
Gea.
Switzerland upped the tempo and went close on several
occasions from set pieces with Timm Klose and Pajtim Kasami heading wide from
promising positions.
As the Swiss tired of chasing possession, Thiago put the
result beyond doubt with a free kick in the 81st minute.
Spotting Sommer off his line, the Barcelona midfielder
floated the ball over his head from 40 meters out, triggering wild celebrations
from the Spanish.
Earlier
in the day, Yegor Filipenko scored an 88th-minute goal as Belarus beat Czech
Republic 1-0 in the third-place playoff and qualified for next year's Olympic
Games.
