SPAIN 1 BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA 0 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

SPAIN hosted BOSNIA in Las Palmas (Canary Is.) for an International Friendly match tonight. Spain puts its planning horizon towards the top priority of qualifying for the EURO 20 competition after their opportunity of gaining a place in next summer's UEFA Nations League Top 4 Final disappeared when England won Croatia 2 -1 this afternoon at Wembley.

Selector & Coach Luis Enrique has commented that his objective is to reconstruct the Spanish National Football Team by introducing slowly young promising players with the Top objective being a place in the EURO 2020 tournament. 

Tonight was the start of the reconstruction process giving the habitual substitutes a run & some newcomers a chance to debut with the National Team.

The starting 11 players for Spain were:

Kepa; Jonny, Llorente, Hermoso, Gaya; Dani Ceballos, Rodri, Isco; Suso, Alvaro Morata & Marco Asensio.

The only two players repeating from the last game against Croatia was Ceballos & Isco, the last Captain tonight & played the full 90 minutes.

Spain dominated most of the match reaching 70-75% ball possession, but as their "A Team" team-mates there was a lack of effectiveness in front of goal. Asensio & Morata had their chances but it seems clear that neither are in their best form.  It was frustrating to watch how Spain reached the Bosnian goal area but failed to convert time after time.

Bosnia did created their own chances, some dangerous, but overall they did not trouble the Spanish goalkeeper, firstly Kepa & later substitute Pau Lopez, most of the encounter.

Spanish Coach Luis Enrique took the opportunity to give new players a run & a chance to debut for Spain in the 2º half. One of those players BRAIS MENDEZ managed to score the only & winning goal tonight in the 78th min. Big night for the Celta de Vigo 21 year old offensive midfielder who will remember his debut with "La Roja" all his life.

Apart from this highlight overall an average performance by Spain which disappointed somewhat in their final finishing. Coach Luis Enrique & his staff has work ahead.

FINAL RESULT: SPAIN 1 BOSNIA 0


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SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM | LIST OF 24 PLAYERS FOR CROATIA & BOSNIA

Spanish National Football Team Selector & Coach Luis Enrique has handed in his list of 24 players for the upcoming UEFA Nations League match against Croatia & the International Friendly game against Bosnia Herzegovina.

Novelties are the call up of Celta midfielder Brais Mendez, Hermoso of Espayol & Formals of Villarreal. Isco. Iñigo Martinez, Diego Llorente & Sergi Roberto return after injury, while Jordi Alba also returns after gaining support from his exceptional return to form. 

Absent are Koke (injured), Thiago (injured) & Alonso.

List of 24 players:

Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Man United), Kepa (Chelsea FC) &  Pau Lopez (Betis).

Defenders: Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Iñigo Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Diego Llorente (Real Sociedad), Mario Hermoso (Espanyol), Jonny (Wolverhampton), Gaya (Valencia CF), Azpilicueta (Chelsea FC).

Midfielders: Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid), Isco (Real Madrid), Saul (Atletico de Madrid), Rodrigo H. (Atletico de Madrid), Sergi Roberto (FC Barcelona), Busquets (Barcelona), Suso (AC Milan), Fornals (Villarreal) & Brais Mendez (Celta de Vigo).

Forwards: Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Iago Aspas (Celta) & Alvaro Morata (Chelsea FC).

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SPAIN 6 ARGENTINA 1 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY GAME

SPAIN has defeated ARGENTINA 6 - 1 in a historical result that will be badly received back at Buenos Aires. The game was a Friendly International, a sparring occasion to test levels before the upcoming World Cup Finals in Russia, but the result leaves Argentina with doubts. True that Argentina was without some big names, notably Messi who finally could not play due to muscle-thigh complaints but the 2º half performance from Argentina was poor. 

Spain will get a confidence boost from their victory as the pieces seem to be all working fine. Each player was out to prove they should be on the final World Cup squad list & it showed. Spain was more intense in their play & with the final definition of opportunities created, along with Asensio, Ramos, Iniesta & Isco all outstanding tonight. Even the substitutes played well, Aspas being one example scoring & assisting.  

The 1ºst was fairly even with both sides looking to dominate the ball, Spain imposing their passing game & Argentina looking for the counter-attack. Gonzalo Higuian missed a sitter in the 8th  min to put Argentina ahead that was quickly turned around by Spain when DIEGO COSTA scored the first for Spain in the 12th min. With Spain on a roll & controlling things ISCO scored the second for Spain in the 27th min with Asensio assisting. Argentina recuperated their game & from a corner OTAMENDI headed home in the 39th min for his teams first & only goal. 

The 2º nd half was virtually all Spain & the goals rained down. Spain put in Aspas for Costa & gave another option upfront with the newly in combining well with Isco & team-mates. ISCO scored in the 52nd min, THIAGO scored in the 55th min, ASPAS got his reward for his work in the 73rd min & ISCO scored again & got his HAT-TRICK in the 75th min. Things were over for Argentina by this stage of the match.

Argentina felt the frustration & there was a few heated moments with knocks & pushes about towards the end of the match. Argentina will surely be severely criticised back home & the "Messi dependence" argumente will be heatedly debated. Spain will be happy with tonight's performance as players & squad look good in their planning & fine tuning for the upcoming World Cup in Russia. 

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SPAIN DRAWS 1 - 1 with GERMANY | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

SPAIN travelled to Düsseldorf to play the current World Champions GERMANY for an International Friendly game. The final result a 1 - 1 draw in an entertaining match with plenty of opportunities created by both sides.

Excellent sparring game between two favourites coming into the soon to be celebrated FIFA WORLD CUP competition in Russia. Spain started strong in the 1ºst half while Germany slowly recovered their game & went better as the match continued. Both sides like to keep dominion of the ball & the match had possession 50-50.

SPAIN went ahead first when Iniesta created & made a surgical pass that found Valencia CF forward RODRIGO in the 6th min of the encounter to score a goal. Spain created more opportunities thereafter but both the German defenders & Goalkeeper Ter Stegen held out. It was in the 35th min when MULLER got onto a ball outside the square that he rammed home for the equalizer.

The 2ºnd half saw a much better German team controlling the game & making Spain´s goalie De Gea work hard with a couple of very important saves. Spain gave a run to fresh legs - Saúl, Nacho, Asensio, Diego Costa & debutan Rodri - & began creating opportunities some very clear like a Diego Costa occasion in front of goal that was stopped at the last moment by a German defender. 

End result a justified draw result for both teams who put in a nice game.

Spain will play their next International Friendly next Tuesday in Madrid against Argentina. Another excellent sparring match to examine players & squad progression. 

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SPAIN 5 - COSTA RICA 0 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

SPAIN played COSTA RICA tonight in a Friendly International in the Spanish city of Malaga. The final result was 5 - 0 victory for the local side. Total domination by Spain which experienced just a couple of chances to the visitors which failed to convert their limited goal opportunities. 

The starting 11 team for Spain was:

In the second half Spanish players Batra, Nacho, Asensio, Aspas, Saul & Luis Alberto got a run. Good warm up match for Spain as they begin planning for next years World Cup finals in Russia.

The names to highlight was DAVID SILVIA who put in a blinder with two goals & ISCO who was magical until taken off mid second half after a hard tackle from WASTON. The Real Madrid player will undergo medical checks but it looks like a knock at this stage & may be able to play next weekend clash against Atletico de Madrid.

The goalscorers tonight were:

• Jordi Alba 6th min , 1 - 0
• Alvaro Morata 22nd min, 2 - 0
• David Silva 51 st min, 3 -0
• David Silva 55th min, 4 - 0
• Andres Iniesta 73rd min, 5 - 0

Spain will continue with their International preparation games next Tuesday when they travel to St Petersburg to play Russia.

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SPAIN DEFEATS BELGIUM 0 - 2 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

First International match for new Spanish National Coach Julen Lopetegui. Positive outcome with SPAIN defeating Belgium 0 - 2 away in their friendly match. Some changes in the starting 11 as seen in the below team photo but some philosophy of touch Football.

Belgium started well with a couple of clear chances but fizzed out as the game went on. Spain began touching the ball, controlling the pace & creating opportunities. Real Madrid forward Morata received a knock which brought on Diego Costa. The Chelsea FC forward livened up the forward line & a pass back from him towards DAVID SILVA brought the first goal in the 21st min when Silva found the back of the net.

Spain continued in the same line & Diego Costa missed some clear chances as the visitors were finding spaces. The second goal would come in the 61st min when DAVID SILVA converted a penalty on Vitolo.

The only real work for Spanish keeper De Gea came late in the match when he deflected a powerful shot from De Bruyne.

Good sparring match & better victory for Spain. Next Monday they face Liechtenstein in the first official Group qualifier for the World Cup 2018. 
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SPAIN 2 COSTA RICA 1 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY GAME

Spain hosted Costa Rica tonight in an International Friendly match that served as a "warm-up" for the upcoming & important Euro 2016 Group match against Belarus. Final result a 2 - 1 win for the Spanish National Football Team that could have been more had Costa Rica & Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas not made 4-5 spectacular saves. The Costa Rican goalie seemed to be sending a message out that perhaps the "true" substitute goalie for Iker Casillas is already at Real Madrid, instead of buying & bringing in another, the speculated David De Gea who watched from the other end of the field.

Spain began with a mixed team, with more substitutes than regulars.  The Spain starting XI was : 

De Gea; Carvajal, Bartra, Ramos, Bernat; San Jose, Koke, Cesc; Aleix Vidal, Nolito & Alcacer

Costa Rica caught Spain sleeping early scoring via Venegas but Spain reacted quickly & equalized through Alcacer & later went ahead via Fabregas:

Goals:
5th min Venegas 0 - 1
7th min Alcacer 1 - 1 
30th min Cesc Fabregas 1 - 2

The second half Spain dominated play & Keylor Navas put on his particular show of saves that kept the scoreline as it was until the end. Spain relaxed towards the final minutes & Costa Rica could have equalized but Bryan Ruiz missed a clear opportunity. 

Spain suffered some injuries with Vidal - debut match - suffering a back knock & Pique a muscle itch after coming on in the mid 2º half.

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SPAIN 2 EL SALVADOR 0 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY RESULT

Spain played its last International Friendly before flying off to Brazil to defend its World Champions Title against El Salvador in Washington DC (USA). The final result was a 2 - 0 result victory by the Spanish Football National Team.

Spanish Coach Vicent Del Bosque took the opportunity given by this match to give the Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid members of the squad minutes to get themselves into the groove before facing Holland in the first Group B match of the World Cup. Plus it served to test Diego Costa under competitive conditions & see if the Spanish forward has managed to shake off his injury. The latter played 70th min & thus gave signals that he is recovered & just needs to fine tune himself with more playing time. 

The Spanish team dominated the match from start to finish & was far superior than the El Salvador eleven. El Salvador defended in block doing what most opponents do when playing Spain, limiting spaces & pressuring the Spanish forwards. The only real goal opportunity in the first half came when Diego Costa was fouled in the box & a penalty was given. Cesc Fabregas took the ball & the responsibility but missed shooting over the bar. From there on Spain dominated but could not break the crowded defence.

The second half started with Spain bringing on Villa, Silva & Cazorla & the goal opportunities began appearing with more frequency. The El Salvador goalie Hernandez was kept busy & made some important goal savers.  Spain finally managed to break through in the 60th min with David Villa scoring & he then managed the second in the 87th min. Before this Busquets hit the bar.  

Therefore, a comfortable win for Spain with good sensations appearing. Diego Costa looks good, no important squad member got injured (always a risk) & most players got some valuable playing time. The only negative element is the "lack of goal" opportunities for Spain when the opponent shuts themselves up in defence. Spain will need to come up with some new ideas on how to break defences if they are to go far in the upcoming World Cup competition. Most teams have studied Spain well & know that if they can defend & limit spaces they can "hurt" Spain & reduce their effectiveness.

Spain leaves Washington DC (USA) tomorrow & flies off directly to Brazil.
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SPAIN 2 BOLIVIA 0 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

SPAIN defeated BOLIVIA 2 - 0 in their International Friendly played this Friday night in the Spanish city of Seville. The Spanish Football National Team, without the Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid Internationals, used the occasion to begin their particular build-up towards the upcoming FIFA World Cup Tournament in Brazil were they arrive as defending World Champions. Bolivia was a good "sparring" partner as they played a fairly good match considering they have not had an International game for the last 6 months. 

Spain gave their squad a run changing around players from the first half to the second half, with two Spanish Players gaining their debut "International Cap", Athletic Club midfielder Iturrespe & FC Barcelona youngster Deulofeu.

The match in itself was more than just a "simple run" for some Spanish Internationals as Coach Del Bosque will hand in his final list of 23 players tomorrow. Tonight served players like Torres, Pedro, Cazorla etc. to remind the Selector that they are keen & serious candidates. Either way, there will be disappointment tomorrow with the final World Cup list as some important names will be dropped & we will be surprised.

Tonight's match also served to show what Spain will face in the upcoming World Cup. Bolivia played the first half as the future opponents of the World Champions will be practising, defending in block with most of their men awaiting for counter-attacking opportunities. Spain played & showed their habitual & now famous method of touch Football but as we have also seen in the past, crushed into the defensive wall of their opponents without much goal chances.

The second half saw Spain make some changes with Silva, Cesc Fabregas & Andres Iniesta coming on which gave more creativity, fresher legs & created more goal opportunities. The first goal of the match came in the 51st min when Fernando Torres converted a penalty. The  second was a magnificent shot from outside the box from Andres Iniesta in the 84th min. Could have been more but Busquets hit the post.

A relatively comfortable win for Spain which will serve to "grease up the engine" as they soon fly to the USA for another International Friendly warm-up before flying to Brazil to meet Holland in their first official Group match of the World Cup. 

Stay tuned the final list of 23 players - with inclusion of Real Madrid - Atletico de Madrid Internationals - to be handed in mid-day. 

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EQUATORIAL GUINEA 1 SPAIN 2 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCH RESULT

A festive atmosphere for the Spanish Football National Team which played Equatorial Guinea in an International Friendly tonight. It was a celebration for the locals as the World Champions visited an ex-Spanish colony & the historical ties helped with the off-field friendliness & joy while on-field the locals were "hard" at times. The final result was a 1 - 2 win for Spain which could ( & should ) have been more but perhaps the steamy conditions & lack of tension did not assist with a runaway scoreline. Equatorial Guinea also played their part as they were pushed on by enthusiasm & by the special occasion. 

The Spain starting XI was:

Reina; Juanfran, Bartra, Íñigo Martínez (sub Ramos), Alberto Moreno; Xabi Alonso (sub Busquets), Koke (sub Iniesta), Cazorla (sub Villa); Jesús Navas (sub Pedro), Mata  & Negredo (sub Fernando Llorente ).

A virtual "reserve" line-up that gradually saw some regulars substitute & get a run as the match well on.

The match took a while to excite & that moment came when Cazorla opened the scoring for Spain in the 13th min after a terrible local goalie fumble. The locals advanced with their enthusiasm & managed to equalize in the 36th min when Bermudez headed from a corner. The Spanish defence could have done much more & were not concentrating but the Equatorial Guinea player celebrated as if it was the winning goal of a World Cup Final. 

The locals then got over excited with some tough tackles, one of which caused Xabi Alonso to hop off the field. Later news was that it was just a scare which was a relief for Real Madrid fans after losing yesterday German International midfielder Khedira for the next 6 months to a serious knee injury. 

The second goal for Spain came in the 42nd min when defender Juanfran fired home after a poor clearance from the goalkeeper.

Spanish Coach Vicente Del Bosque made changes all the 2º half, which was slower & with numerous missed chances which was frustrating to watch. Equatorial Guinea created their own opportunities towards the end of the game but Spain kept them out & under control.

Next International Friendly for Spain against South Africa.

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SPAIN 2 HAITI 1 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY GAME RESULT

The Spanish Football National Team took the road today towards the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil with the first of the two International Friendly matches scheduled in the United States.

The current FIFA World & Euro Champions faced Haiti in Miami to win 2 - 1 in a match that was more a warm-up & "back to basics" affair for Spain, while Haiti had a chance to win some Football pride & give some joy to their countrymen back home who have had it hard in recent years. Apart the match helped raise funds for the Haitian people & to build up Football infrastructure back home.

Spain went into the game with a starting 11 that went on changing as things advanced so most in the the 23 man squad could get a run & a touch of the ball. The main news was that goalkeeper Casillas was back under the posts after nearly 5 months sidelined. 

The goals for Spain came in the first half with Cazorla scoring in the 8th min & Cesc Fabregas heading in the 19th min. From here onwards & with the changes made Spain relaxed in their game & reduced the intensity. Although Spain hit the post twice in the second half & had more chances, Haiti took advantage of the Spanish "lapses" & managed to score a "historic" goal in the 55th min via Guerrier.

The main conclusion that can be made today is that some Spanish Internationals are "soft" & need to improve their concentration if they are to fair well in the upcoming Confederations Cup tournament. Their next scheduled Friendly International will be on the 11th of June in New York against the Republic of Ireland & hopefully this will further serve to build up & focus the Spanish Football Team for what is to come ahead in Brazil.

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INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY | SPAIN vs REP. IRELAND IN NEW YORK ON JUNE

This is good news for the American readers of Spanish Football Sports & for those that live in the New York area. The Spain National Soccer Team with play the Republic of Ireland in an International Friendly match on the 11th of June 2013. This is part of the warm-up phase of games that Spain has scheduled before travelling off to Brazil to contest the Confederations Cup tournament.

The meeting between both National Football teams will be at the famous "Yankee Stadium" at 20.00 hours local time.

So if you are a New Yorker, from a surrounding city ( e.g. Boston etc. ) or your travelling to NYC around that date put it down on your calendar or agenda. Great match of Football will be assured, plus great opportunity to see all the Spanish Soccer stars close up.

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SPAIN WINS PUERTO RICO 1- 2

With 72 hours before the Spanish Football season kicks-off, the Spanish Internationals were in PUERTO RICO representing SPAIN in an International Friendly match which Spain won 1 - 2. The game had no real sense except for some political favours between Football Federation Officials & the money paid to see the European & World Champions. The worries of some local Coaches become a reality when Atletico de Madrid defender Juan Fran came off in the 18th min with an injury. Atletico Coach Simeone will be unhappy about it all & with this hard to justify game of Football.

Spain scores against Puerto Rico

A match which was a relative practice match for Spain, with all due respects to Puerto Rico, which was slow, easy-going most of the time & boring, until a Spanish lapse in concentration allowed Puerto Rico to score a historical goal in the 64th min via CINTRON ( RAMOS own goal ). Earlier CAZORLA in the 41 st min & CESC in the 45th min managed to open until the Puerto Rico defensive wall.

The Puerto Rico goal ( along with their goalkeeper Gaudette ) was the real highlight of the match as it was the only attack the home team did & they managed to score. The Spanish players were sleeping & from them managed to wake back up to continue with the job but were not able to score more goals.

In conclusion, another Friendly for Spain with an unexpected & against the grain goal from the opposition side. Something understandable as these types of obligations do not allow the players to be 100% concentrated & with Coach Del Bosque allowing Spanish players without much playing minutes in big games to get a run here.

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SPAIN LIST FOR PUERTO RICO FRIENDLY MATCH

The recently re-crowned European Champions & current World Champions SPAIN will be back in action next 15th of August when they fly off to the Puerto Rico for a Friendly International.

With this motive Spanish Football National Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque has handed in the list of players to travel. The changes are that the Olympic players (Martinez, Alba & Mata) get a rest & defender Monreal (Malaga FC) comes back into the list. FC Barcelona player Xavi gets a rest as well & Sevilla FC forward Negredo was not called up.

Iker Casillas

Here is the Full list:

Goalkeepers
Casillas (Real Madrid). Reina (Liverpool).Valdés (Barcelona)
Defenders
Juanfran (Atlético).Arbeloa (Real Madrid). Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). Piqué (Barcelona). Albiol (Real Madrid). Monreal (Málaga)
Midfielders
Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid).Busquets (Barcelona).Iniesta (Barcelona).Silva (Manchester City).Cazorla (Arsenal).Cesc (Barcelona).Pedro (Barcelona).Navas (Barcelona)
Forwards
Fernando Torres (Chelsea).Llorente (Athletic)

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