Needing just one point to secure their place in the semi-finals, Spain Under-19s meet already-qualified France Under-19s in Monday's Group B finale at the 2024 European Under-19 Championship.
Back-to-back wins have taken Les Bleuets through with one game to spare, but La Rojita conceded a late equaliser to Turkey so must now avoid defeat at Inver Park to make sure of reaching the knockout phase.
Match preview
After progressing past the group stage in each of their last seven appearances at the Under-19 Euros, Spain's current squad have a proud record to defend this summer, and an opening win over Denmark put them on course to go through once again.
Jose Lana's side slipped up against Turkey, though, in Friday's second Group B game, during which Valencia defender Yarek Gasiorowski gave them the lead with a powerful header shortly after half time.
However, a last-gasp finish from Fahri Ay helped Turkey take a point, sending the fight for a top-two finish down to the final day, when automatic qualification for next year's Under-20 World Cup will also be at stake.
Picking up a point in Larne would both ensure Spain's presence at those finals in Chile and take them into the Under-19 European Championship semis. Indeed, even defeat may not see La Rojita eliminated, as Turkey face a must-win contest against Denmark in Belfast.
Semi-finalists last year, Spain are intent on collecting a ninth Under-19 trophy later this month - and the first since four years ago in Armenia - but their third group fixture promises to be the toughest of all.
France serenely cruised into the tournament's final four on Friday, when a 4-2 defeat of Denmark followed their opening 2-1 win over Turkey.
Jean-Matteo Bahoya put Les Bleuets in front on 19 minutes, but it was not until after the hour mark that they started to take the game away from their opponents: Ayman Aiki scored the second before fellow substitutes Saimon Bouabre and Dehmaine Assoumani struck late on.
The 2005, 2010 and 2016 champions came out on top when the Under-19 Euros were last held in Northern Ireland, and current coach Bernard Diomede has his team on track to repeat that feat some 19 years later.
The 1998 World Cup winner can call upon much of the squad that triumphed at the 2022 Under-17 European Championship, so expectations are understandably high this summer.
With France's winning run at the Under-19 Euros' group stage now standing at 10 matches, they will now aim to continue that streak and take their place in the semi-finals as Group B winners.
Team News
After serving a suspension for being sent off in Spain's opener, Atletico Madrid midfielder Rayane Belaid will be back in contention for a start on Monday evening.
In the absence of new Chelsea striker Marc Guiu, who was withdrawn from the squad, Ivan Bravo, Assane Diao and David Mella could form an attacking triumvirate - Real Sociedad's Daniel Diaz will also come under consideration.
France also have a host of players to choose from across the final third, including Eli Junior Kroupi, who became Lorient's youngest-ever scorer last season, when he posted a total of eight goal involvements in Ligue 1.
Ayman Aiki was one of three players to score after arriving from the bench last time out, so will hope to be handed an opportunity to impress ahead of the knockout phase.
Elsewhere, Elyaz Zidane - son of Les Bleus legend Zinedine Zidane - could be brought in at centre-back if Bernard Diomede decides to rotate his resources with one eye on Thursday's semi-final.
Spain Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Jimenez; Ramon, Keddari, Gasiorowski, Diaz; Rodriguez, Andres, Belaid; Mella, Diao, Bravo
France Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Bengui Joao; Kumbedi, Jacquet, Zidane, Soumahoro; Benama, Atangana, Mayulu; Aiki, Kroupi, Bahoya
We say: Spain Under-19s 1-1 France Under-19s
Both teams are set to progress, with a draw sufficient to take Spain through as Group B runners-up and seal top spot for France. It should be an entertaining encounter at Inver Park, where the points may ultimately be shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
