SPAIN - NORWAY: Euro 2020 Group F Qualifier
Spanish National Team Coach Luis Enrique put in the following starting 11:
David de Gea, Jesus Navas, Sergio Ramos, Íñigo Martinez, Jordi Alba, Parejo, Sergio Busquets, Jesus Ceballos, Marco Asensio, Rodrigo & Alvaro Morata.
Only 5 names survive from the World Cup team: De Gea, Ramos, Alba, Busquets & Asensio.
Later Betis midfielder Sergio Canales & forward Jaime Mata of Getafe debuted as substitutes in the 2º half.
SPAIN won in a worked match 2 - 1 NORWAY. Although Spain dominated most of the match they were overall not at all convincing. Spain creates plenty of goal opportunities but does not manage to score, their effective rate is way below the occasions created by the Team.
Norway, knows their limitations & they also know their strengths sticking to their strategy of defending well, forcing the errors from their opponents, counter-attacking & attempt to exploit their big men upfront with long balls to exploit their heading power. Simple & effective.
This is basically the summary of tonight's match. The Norwegian game plan nearly paid off as they pushed Spain in the latter part of the 2º half. A penalty on Morata was the lifesaver for the locals to pull off the victory & grab the three points.
The 1º st half went to Spain which started well with the habitual ball domination & goal creating opportunities. The first goal came in the 16th min when Valencia CF striker RODRIGO managed to score. With the momentum Spain created numerous clear goal opportunities but Norway Goalie JARSTEIN made important saves & MORATA (along with fellow team-mates) was not able to score. In fact, the Atletico de Madrid forward have up to 6 occasions that where all missed, even though the penalty awarded late to Spain was won by him.
The 2º half was more in Norway´s favour & they put up forward some "towers" of forwards to receive the long balls & make things difficult for the Spanish defenders. The plan worked when in the 65th min Norway was awarded a penalty from a free- kick that forced Martinez to foul KING in the area. In was KING himself who converted the penalty to draw the result. Spain was going through its worst moment & things were not looking bright for the locals as the nerves began to settle in throughout the side.
However, a Norwegian defensive error gave Morata the ball & Norway goalie Jarstein had no option but to foul the Spanish forward. Sergio RAMOS took the penalty in the 71st min to score & put Spain back into the match & leading. The worst part for Spain seemed over, as the locals regrouped & began using their heads to keep control of the situation. Norway did have some occasions towards the end that made the crowd hold their breath but Spain managed to hold the 2 - 1 result.
GOALSCORERS:
1 - 0 (16') Rodrigo Moreno
1 - 1 (65') (P.) Joshua King
2 - 1 (71') (P.) Sergio Ramos
FINAL RESULT:
SPAIN 2 - NORWAY 1
Spain manages the victory & the three points but they have to work more upfront to lift their goal conversion rate, as they fail to transform the numerous occasions created into goals to shut their matches.
Spain plays MALTA next Tuesday in their next Group F Euro 2020 match.
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