Jack Rodwell was a 67th minute substitute as a late Danny Welbeck goal snatched an undeserved point for England in their opening fixture of the 2011 U-21 Euros with Spain.Manager Stuart Pearce elected to start Jordan Henderson and Michael Mancienne, and so Everton's Jack Rodwell had to be content with a slot on the bench. The young lions fell behind after 19 minutes to an Ander Herrara goal - although replays suggested that the young Spaniard had bundled the ball in with his hand rather than his head.
The Spaniards were technically superior and dominated long periods of the match - with a final statistic of 62% possession. England were lacking a cutting edge in the final third or a pass that would unlock the Spanish defence - a pass that may have come courtesy of Jack Wilshere - if he wasn't too 'tired' (bless him) - or Jack Rodwell - who had been overlooked in favour of the shockingly negative Michael Mancienne.
Rodwell did enter the fray with just under 70 minutes gone. He wasn't immediately able to settle into the game as the Spanish retained the ball brilliantly and we were left to chase shadows. However, with just two minutes remaining, Danny Welbeck - who has this week been linked with a loan move to Goodison Park - slotted home after good work from Chris Smalling and Kyle Walker. Replays showed him to be offside, but there was more than a whiff of controversy about the earlier goal too.
Rodwell almost capped an incredible comeback with a curled shot from the edge of the area, but it sailed harmlessly over David de Gea's crossbar.
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