EURO 2020 | SPAIN 7 MALTA 0 - GROUP F QUALIFIER

EURO 2020 Group F qualifying match between SPAIN & MALTA played in the city of Cadiz. Spain sits comfortably at the top of the group & wants to win both games, Malta & next Mondays Rumania clash to stay first of Group F.

Here is a brief summary of events, goalscorers & final result.

Spain starting XI line up vs Malta:
Pau Lopez; Jesus Navas, Albiol, Ramos, Bernat; Rodri, Thiago, Cazorla; Sarabia, Gerard Moreno & Alvaro Morata

As expected with Malta last in the Group table & the least strong,  Spain dominated all the match with the visitors putting up an ultra defensive line-up. There was up to 6 defenders in-line as Malta hopped to avoid a scandalous result & if lucky find a counter-attack that may have lead to a goal.

Malta held out the best they could most of the 1º st half only "halting" Spain down to two goals up to the 45th min. 

However, the 2º half was a completely different game with Spain scoring another 5 goals. Two Spanish players debuted in the 2º half; defender PAU TORRES (Villarreal) & DANI OLMO (Dynamo Zagreb) with both scoring a goal in their debut. Good match played by Cazorla (also scored) & Gerard Moreno ( assisted on various occasions & scored a goal).

The final result could have been greater in favour of Spain but they missed more than a dozen goal opportunities, including a disallowed off-side & a post.

FINAL RESULT: SPAIN 7 - MALTA 0

Goalscorers:
1 - 0 (23´) Alvaro Morata 
2 - 0 (41') Santi Cazorla
3 - 0 (62') Pau Torres
4 - 0 (63') Pablo Sarabia
5 - 0 (69') Dani Olmo
6 - 0 (71') Gerard Moreno

7 - 0 (85') Jesus Navas

Next Group match for Spain next Monday in Madrid against Rumania.

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EURO 2020 | NORWAY 1 - SPAIN 1

EURO 2020 Group qualifiers tonight with NORWAY hosting SPAIN in a must win match for the home team. Spain needed a win to mathematically go through to next years Euro Championships, while Norway needed to not lose to keep alive there options for the second place of the Group. Here is a short summary of events, goalscorers & final result.

Above is the Spain starting XI in the image with the main news being SERGIO RAMOS who becomes the most Capped player in Spanish Football History with 168 International matches overtaking goalkeeper Iker Casillas.


The first half was uncomfortable for Spain, which started with ball possession and had a chance through Oyarzabal early on. However, as the match went on & Norway found counter-attacks things got complicated. 

Great start for Spain in the 47th min when SAUL scored from long rang. However, as the first half, Norway never gave in & kept fighting to stay alive in the competition. Although Spain defended the long balls bravely with an exceptional ALBIOL, Norway found a penalty in the 93rd min which KING converted to equalize.

Spain is left without direct qualification for the European Championship and will have to wait until Tuesday to see if it obtains the direct passport against Sweden. 

FINAL RESULT - NORWAY 1 - SPAIN 1 

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SPAIN 4 FAROE ISLANDS 0 | EURO 2020 RESULT

SPAIN hosted FAROE ISLANDS in Gijon (Spain) for their Group F EURO 2020 Qualifier. The final result being 4 - 0 victory for Spain further consolidating their Top Spot in the Group.

Only Sergio Ramos & Rodrigo Moreno started in the Spain XI after last Wednesday match against Romania with the rest getting a run from the bench. Spanish Captain Sergio Ramos equalled the International Caps record along with Iker Casillas of 166 games for Spain. It's obvious Ramos will surpass this figure to take the most Internationally Capped player records in the near future.

The whole match was dominated by Spain which attacked while Faroe Islands defended & looked for a counter-attack opportunity. Spain continuously kept smashing against the Faroe Island defensive wall but managed to score through RODRIGO MORENO who scored twice in the 13 th & 51st min.

The only real chance to pull a goal back for Faroe Islands came in the 73th min through a counter-attack that was stopped by DE GEA when the opposition player fired at goal.

Little more to add from here as Spain kept looking to add to the scoreline & did so when substitute PACO ALCACER scored the 3rd & 4th for Spain in the 89th min & the 92nd min.

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ROMANIA 1 SPAIN 2 | EURO 2020 GROUP F QUALIFIER RESULT

SPAIN defeated ROMANIA 1 - 2 away tonight in their Group F EURO 2020 Qualifier. It's the first time the History of the Spanish Football National Team that they have defeated Romania in their home stadium. A competitive match that saw Spain dominate the first half & complicate their advantage in the second half with a RED CARD included that left Spain down to 10 men.

However, the victory consolidates Spain on top of the Group F table & has them firmly on the path to secure their Euro 2020 qualification.

The above is the Spain starting XI team, the surprises being Navas (ahead of Carvajal), Saul (ahead of Parejo) & Alcacer (ahead of Morata).

The first half was totally dominated by Spain. The best player on the field was Romanian goalkeeper Tatarusano who made 4 - 5 point blank saves to avoid a scandalous Spain runway result. The Romanian was truly outstanding & frustrating for the Spanish players.

The goals for Spain came in the first 50 mt. through a penalty scored by SERGIO RAMOS & PACO ALCACER at the beginning of the second half.

But credit to Romania which did not drop their heads & lifted in their pressure looking to pull the result back. Romanian Coach Cosmin Costa began moving the bench bring on ANDONE who reacted & headed the Romanian goal in the 59th min. From here Romania put Spain onto the back foot with pressure & more aggression.

Spain suffered a RED CARD when Spanish defender LLORENTE fouled being the last man in the 79th min & left Spain with 10 men. This forced Spain to change strategy & defend their 1 goal lead which allowed Romania to be the main protagonist.

Spanish goalie KEPA had to make important match saving interventions as Spain suffered to keep their lead. However their experience, with some luck, allowed Spain to hold on, take the 3 points & the victory. 

GOALSCORERS:

0 - 1 (29') (P.) Sergio Ramos
0 - 2 (47')  Paco Alcacer
1 - 2 (59')  Florin Andone

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EURO 2020 | SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM LIST FOR RUMANIA & FEREO ISLANDS

Newly appointed Spanish National Football Team Selector & Coach ROBERTO MORENO has handed in his first list of selected Spanish Football players for the upcoming EURO 2020 Group qualifiers against RUMANIA in Bucharest the 5th of September & the FEREO ISLANDS in Gijon (Spain) the 8th of September. The surprises are mainly the Carzola & Aspas leave the team & Unai Nuñez & Sarabia get called up. 

Below is the full list:

List of players for the Spanish National Football Team:

Goalkeepers: De Gea, Kepa & Pau López

Defenders: Gayà, Jordi Alba, Dani Carvajal, Hermoso, Unai Núñez, Sergio Ramos, Diego Llorente & Jesús Navas

Midfielders: Parejo, Sergi Busquets, Rodrigo, Thiago, Saúl, Fabián, Suso, Ceballos

Forwards: Rodrigo Moreno, Sarabia, Paco Alcacer & Oyarzabal

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SPAIN 3 SWEDEN 0 | EURO 2020 QUALIFIER RESULT

SPAIN hosted SWEDEN tonight at the "Santiago Bernabeu Stadium" (Madrid) for their Group F EURO 2020 Qualifying match. Here is a brief summary of events, goalscorers & the final score.

The Spain starting 11 team had some surprises with goalkeeper KEPA starting over David De Gea, and FABIAN starting as well. Later in the 2º half Real Sociedad forward OYARZABAL would get a run & debut for Spain. 

Above is the Sweden starting 11 with an outfit throughout for their direct Football style.

Spain starting well & confident putting forward their touch & passing Football style. It was not long into the match that Spain was creating goal opportunities. However, bad luck for Sweden early as upfront man Claesson fell badly & had to be replaced. This caused a tactical change which strengthened the Swedish defence & they began to lock down their area. 

It became increasingly difficult to penetrate the Swedish defence as Spain kept smashing into their wall. The first half finished with a sense of desperation on the Spanish side.

However, the second half saw a more determined Spain passing the ball around patiently looking for the Swedish error which was to come. After long patient passing & incursiones into the Swede area, the break came in the 64th min when a hand ball was rewarded with a penalty. Spanish Captain SERGIO RAMOS who achieved a "World Record" tonight of 122 International victory games & results, took the penalty & scored in the 64th min. 

Sweden opened up a bit more to attempt to go up forward but a brilliant move by substitute forward ALVARO MORATA who lost his defensive marker was fouled in the area & awarded a penalty. He took it & scored Spain's second goal in the 85th min. 

Two minutes later with Sweden acknowledging their loss, with another substitute OYARZABAL scored the third in the 87th min.

FINAL RESULT: SPAIN 3 - SWEDEN 0
Goal Scorers:
1 - 0 (64') (P.)
Sergio Ramos
2 - 0 (85') (P.)
Alvaro Morata
3 - 0 (87')
Mikel Oyarzabal

Spain achieves its 4th straight Group F victory & secures the top spot with a 5 point difference with the second placed nation. Sweden is considered the "main competitor" of the Group & a victory tonight was the prime objective to keep Spain's EURO 2020 qualification on course.

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MALTA 0 SPAIN 2 | EURO 2020 GROUP F QUALIFIER

Tonight EURO 2020 qualifiers with a GROUP F match schedule between MALTA & SPAIN. Here is a brief summary of the main events, the goalscorers & the final result.

MALTA vs SPAIN

Spanish National Team Coach Luis Enrique had to fly back to Spain for a family emergency & his role was taken tonight by his second in charge ROBERTO MORENO. His choice of the starting 11 (above image) had 8 changes from the match against Norway last Saturday: Kepa, S Roberto, Hermoso, Gaya, Rodri, Saul, Canales & Bernat were the new names.

The first half was very clear, Malta was to defend putting up to 9 - 10 men in their area, while Spain had complete ball domination. Under this scenario good Football is very difficult to create & in fact the game was fairly boring. Spain attacked & bounced off the Maltese wall until the 31st min when ALVARO MORATA got onto a pass which he managed to slip past the goalkeeper Bonello for Malta & register Spain´s opening goal. That was basically it for the half. 

The 2ond half was more of the same. Spain dominating & Malta defending. A substitution which shaked things for Spain was the coming on of Jesus Navas who was dangerous along the right flank. From his pass came the second goal from Spain when ALVARO MORATA managed to header home his second for the night in the 73rd min.
Three more points for Spain which currently leads Group F unbeaten in two matches with 6 points. 

FINAL RESULT: MALTA 0 - SPAIN 2 

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SPAIN 2 - NORWAY 1 | EURO 2020 QUALIFIER RESULT

The road towards the qualification for the upcoming EURO 2020 Champions began for SPAIN tonight with the first match at home against NORWAY in Group F. Here is a short summary of the main events, the goalscorers & the final result.

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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SPAIN DEFEATS ISRAEL 0 - 1 | WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

SPAIN defeated ISRAEL 0 - 1 in Jerusalem in the last of the World Cup 2018 qualifiers. The Spanish Football Team finishes top spot of the Group securing a direct ticket for next years World Cup finals in Russia.

Spain came into this match already qualified & with top spot but wanted to win in order to gain more FIFA ranking points & lift them from their current 12 th position. Spanish Coach Lopetegui used the occasion to give "less regular" players a run. The starting 11 was:

Reina, Azpilicueta, Ramos, Nacho, Monreal, Busquets, Illarramendi, Jonathan Viera, Pedro, Asensio & Aduriz.

Sergi Busquets reached a milestone tonight gaining his 100th International Cap with Spain.

Spain dominated the ball & possession the entire match but had difficulties penetrating the solid & crowded Israeli defence. Israel played the counter-attack & found their moments, some more closer than others.

The real action, or moment happened in the second half. Spain made changes - Aspas, Callejon & Isco all came on - with new ideas & it was midfielder ILLARAMENDI who fired home a "missile" from a stray corner in the 76th min that opened the scoring. A goal which was enough for Spain to get the victory & the three points. 

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WORLD CUP 2018 | SPANISH FOOTBALL SQUAD FOR ALBANIA & ISREAL

Spanish National Football Coach & Selector Julen Lopetegui has handed in today his list of players that will make up the Spanish Football National squad for the upcoming World Cup 2018 Group qualifiers.

The important games are:

6th of October (Alicante, Spain) vs Albania
9th of October (Jerusalem, Isreal ) vs Isreal 

Spain looks for victories to mathematically secure the Group top spot & go directly into the World Cup 2018 draw for Russia.

The novelties in today´s list are Rodrigo (Valencia), Callejon (Napoles) & Illaramendi (Real Sociedad). The following players have been dropped from previous list:  Suso, Vitolo, Deulofeu, & David Villa:

Full list of players:

Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Reina & Kepa 

Defenders: Jordi Alba, Azpilicueta, Bartra, Carvajal, Nacho, Monreal, Gerard Pique & Sergio Ramos 

Midfielders: Isco, Thiago, Busquets, Illarramendi, Silva, Iniesta, Saul, Koke, Asensio,

Forwards: Iago Aspas, Callejon, Rodrigo, Pedro & Alvaro Morata.

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SPAIN 4 MACEDONIA 0 | WORLD CUP 2018 QUALIFIER

Spain played Macedonia tonight in their World Cup 2018 Group qualifier. The top Group spot is closely contended along with Italy & a win tonight was important for Spain to maintain the prized position. While Italy won their group game, Spain managed a 4 - 0 victory over Macedonia to stay on top.

Spain has some injuries of their regular players like Ramos, Pique, Alba, Iniesta etc., & put forward the following starting 11:

De Gea, Carvajal, Bartra, Nacho, Monreal, Busquets, Thiago, Koke, Vitolo, Silva & Morata.

David Silva was Captain tonight & exercised it well being the main play-maker along with Thiago. Macedonia was very defensive & was difficult to break most of the game even though Spain had up to 70% of ball domination.

Spain was finally rewarded for their efforts in the 34th min when Macedonia defender Velkoski scored an own goal which put Spain in front. 

Macedonia did have some goal opportunities created from their counter-attacks but the Spanish defenders & goalie David De Gea managed to neutralise their sporadic dangerous attacks.

The second goal for Spain came from Vitolo in the 63rd min which settled things for the home side. Spanish Coach Lopetegui then made some chances bringing on Aduriz, Isco & Callejon & more goals came the home team´s way.

The third was scored in the 84th min through Monreal & quickly the fourth through Aduriz in the 85th min to close the match & secure the three points.

Next match against England next week in an International friendly game.

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SPAIN WINS 0 - 1 UKRAINE | EURO 2016 RESULT

Spain travelled to the Ukraine to play their Group C qualifier for the upcoming Euro 2016 in France. Spain has already secured the Group top spot & thus has a direct ticket, while the Ukraine needed to win tonight to get a chance at the second spot & thus get into the play-offs between the other 2º placed teams in the other Groups.

With this situation Spanish Coach Del Bosque put on the following starting 11:

David De Gea; Mario, Nacho, Etxeita, Azpilicueta; San Jose, Cesc Fabregas, Thiago; Isco, Nolito & Paco Alcacer.

In theory Spanish selector put on the "B-team" although a fine "B-team" in anyone books. 

Said this, Spain did not go into the match relaxed while Ukraine were very serious looking for the victory. Overall the Spain Football Team played well but failed to shut the match. Spain got ahead in the 22nd min with a header from debut player Mario. Soon after Spain was awarded a penalty but Cesc Fabragas failed to convert in the 24th min. This lifted off the "canvass" the Ukraine team which managed to created some dangerous goal opportunities, however Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea put in an

excellent performance making half a dozen or more important saves keeping the locals out, apart from frustrating the local supporters.

Spain had a goal disallowed after some great combination work from Tiago, Isco, Cesc & finally San Jose who scored, but the Serbian referee considered a foul was committed on a Ukraine defender before the ball went into the net. From here until the end of the game the Ukrainians went forward putting all their efforts into attempting to turn the match around their way. But some inaccurate finishing, an alert & agile De Gea & a concentrated Spanish defence maintained their earned goal from the first half & the resulting final victory.

Final result 0 - 1 win for Spain over the Ukraine.

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SPAIN 4 LUXEMBOURG 0 | EURO 2016 GROUP C RESULT

Spain played Luxembourg in their Group C Euro 2016 qualifier & won 4 - 0. The victory assures the top spot of the Group for Spain & its ticket for next years European Championship in France.

Spain began the night with the following 11 :
Casillas; Juanfran, Pique, Bartra, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Cesc, Cazorla; Silva (Mata), Pedro (Nolito) & Morata (Alcacer), 
with Luxembourg taking on an aggressive approach, sidelined first was David Silva with a suspected knee strain, while shortly later Alvaro Morata was taken off with a possible bone (fibula) fracture. If the last is correct, Juventus FC will have their striker sidelined 4 months, something that still needs official comformation. 

As mentioned a rough 1º half with Spain dominating with up to 73% of ball possession but not effective upfront. It was not until the 44th min that Spain broke through the opposition defence through Santi Cazorla.

The second half was also a slog until Cesc Fabregas managed a "surgical pass" that found Paco Alcacer in the 66th min to score. Nolito then came on shortly after & "handed" a pass to Alba who found Paco Alcacer in the 80th min for the Valencia player to score. The last & fourth goal also had the signature of Nolito but it was Cazorla who managed to score in the 85th min & get his second for the night.

Spain now flys over to Kiev to meet the Ukraine next Monday for another Group C qualifier. Should give Coach Del Bosque to give other players a run as Spain has the upcoming Euro 2016 secured.

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SPAIN FOOTABLL TEAM LIST FOR UPCOMING EURO 2016 GROUP QUALIFIERS

Spanish National Football Selector & Coach Vicent Del Bosque handed in this afternoon the list of players that will represent Spain in the upcoming EURO 2016 Group qualifiers against Luxembourg (Logroño, 9th of Oct.) & the Ukraine (Kiev, 12th of October). The novelties are the return of Thiago, Iñigo Martinez, Bruno & Morata.

The full list of players:

Goalkeepers:

Iker Casillas (Oporto/POR)
David De Gea (Manchester United/ENG)
Sergio Rico (Sevilla)

Defenders:

Juanfran Torres (Atletico de Madrid)
Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Marc Bartra (Barcelona)
Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Iñigo Martínez (Real Sociedad)
Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea/ENG).

Midfielder:

Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
Francisco Alarcón 'Isco' (Real Madrid)
Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea/ENG)
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal/ENG)
Juan Mata (Manchester United/ENG).
Thiago Alcántara (Bayern Múnich/GER)
Bruno Soriano (Villarreal)

Forwards:

Alvaro Morata (Juventus/ITA)
Paco Alcacer (Valencia)
Manuel Agudo 'Nolito' (Celta)
Pedro Rodríguez (Chelsea/ENG)
David Silva (Manchester City/ENG)

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MACEDONIA 0 SPAIN 1 | EURO 2016 GROUP C RESULT

Spain travelled to meet last placed on Group C Macedonia to finish with a 0 - 1 victory that cost the current European Champions. Thanks to an early (perhaps accidental) goal Spain managed the three points but showed little more as Macedonia placed a defensive wall which neutralized thereafter all the Spanish attempts.

The starting 11 Spanish Football Team tonight:

De Gea; Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Bernat; Busquets, Cazorla (Koke), Isco (Iniesta); Mata, Silva & Diego Costa (Paco Alcacer),

up to 6 changes from the last game against Slovakiallast Saturday.

The winner came early in the 5th min when Juan Mata crossed but managed to "unwillingly" cause the ball to deviate & beat a surprised Macedonia goalkeeper at his far post. From here onwards Spain controlled the ball but was ineffective in breaking the Macedonian defensive lines.

Frustrating for the visitors with the changes in the 2º half introduced by Spanish Coach Del Bosque not changing things upfront. Diego Costa who started was again scoreless & not effective which is causing some to doubt if he is the goal scoring answer. 

Said all this & looking at it all with pragmatism a win is a win & more importantly gains another 3 points which maintains Spain on top of Group C. However, not a night to brag about spectacular Football.

Next games - Luxembourg & Ukraine

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SPAIN 2 SLOVAKIA 0 | EURO 2016 GROUP C RESULT

Spain has defeated Slovakia 2 - 0 tonight in their Group C Euro 2016 qualifier. Important result for Spain as they regain the top spot of Group C with goal advantage over Slovakia. If Spain manages to win the remainder of their games  they should qualify directly into the Euro 2016 Finals next year in France.

The starting 11 line-up for Spain was the following:

Iker Casillas; Juanfran, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Cesc; Silva, Iniesta, Pedro Rodríguez; & Diego Costa

A team which dominated most of the game with their habitual ball control & creation of numerous goal opportunities. Slovakia defended most of the night & looked for counter-attacks of which some were dangerous. But Spanish goalie Iker Casillas managed to make some important saves along with his defence which swept away the danger.  

It was Spanish defender Jordi Alba who opened the scoring in the 5th min from a brilliant David Silva pass that was headed into the back of the net. With Spain on a roll Diego Costa was fouled in the penalty area & Andres Iniesta scored the 2º goal in the 30th min converting the penalty.

The 2º half Spain continued it dominance but missed plenty of more goal opportunities to ram home their clear game advantage. Spanish midfielder David Silva was - for me - the "man of the match" but unfortunately failed to score at least a goal in his numerous created occasions. 

In the end Spain settled for the three points to seal top spot & looks now forward to next Tuesdays Group C qualifier against Macedonia. A win will be needed to cement all the great work & the result gained tonight. 

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SPAIN LIST FOR UPCOMING EURO 2016 QUALIFIERS

Spanish National Football Team Selector & Coach Vicente del Bosque handed in his list of 23 players for the upcoming Euro 2016 Group qualifiers. Spain plays in the Spanish city of Oviedo Slovakia the 5th of September, to then travel to play Macedonia on the 8th of September.

Vital match against Slovakia where Spain is currently second in the Group behind them & needs a victory to take the top spot & with it the direct access into the Euro 2016 finals.

Some local Football observers have been surprised that Del Bosque has not called up Athletic Club Bilbao forward Aduriz. However, his 34 years of age could be his handicap as the Spanish Coach prefers to bet on young & the future.

Full list of 23 players to represent Spain:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, David De Gea, Sergio Rico
Defenders: Juanfran, Azpilicueta, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Bartra, Jordi Alba, Bernat
Midfielders: Koke, Busquets, Cazorla, Cesc Fabregas, iniesta, Isco, Silva, Mata
Forwards: Alcacer, Diego Costa, Vitolo & Pedro.

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SPAIN WINS 0 - 4 LUXEMBOURG | EURO 2016 GROUP QUALIFIER

After heavy local criticism after losing against Slovakia earlier in the week, Spain got back to winning ways defeating away Luxembourg 0 - 4 in their Euro 2016 Group qualifier. The Spanish Football Team Coach Vicente del Bosque made changes to the side leaving out Iker Casillas, Juanfran, Albiol & Cesc Fábregas, while starting with the following 11 players:

De Gea, Carvajal, Piqué, Bartra, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Koke, Iniesta (Bernat), Silva (Pedro), Alcácer & Diego Costa (Rodrigo).

The match was 70% or more ball possession to Spain along with around 70 attempts at goal (successful or not). These numbers says it all. However, Spain got bonged down looking for Diego Costa the first 20 minutes so as the Chelsea FC forward could finally break his goal drought with the National Team. The player had 7 chances & missed them all making us all think that Costa had an "evil spell" placed on him. He later broke that spell!

When Spain "forgot" about Costa, David Silva did his own magic & opened the can with his 22 nd minute opener. The second goal came in the 42 nd min when Paco Alcacer scored, that is, his third goal from three matches. Later, as mentioned, Diego Costa finally got the third - & his first for Spain - in the 69th min. 

Spanish Coach Del Bosque then made debut Bayern Munich player Bernat & later Valencia CF forward Rodrigo. The fourth Spanish goal was scored by Bernat in the 88th min from a Rodrigo pass, fantastic way to debut!

The Spanish Football Team waters return to calm, for now. 

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SPAIN LOSE 2 - 1 TO SLOVAKIA IN GROUP C EURO 2016 QUALIFIER

Slovakia take the top spot of Group C after defeating Spain at home 2 - 1 in the Euro 2016 qualifier. Surprise result after Spain had ball domination between 65 - 70 % with Slovakia defending & looking for the counter-attack. 

Spain has the same problem that seems to have no solution from Coach Vicente Del Bosque, the inability to score goals. Plus the "Diego Costa option" is not working at all, a paradox as the player is scoring goals on a weekly basis with his Club Chelsea FC.

Spain started with the following 11 players:

Casillas; Juanfran, Albiol, Piqué, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Koke; Cesc, Silva, Iniesta; & Diego Costa.

As you can see all top class names on paper, but the opposition teams seem to have worked out the antidote to halt Spain by simply defending in block & frustrating the Spaniards until they make mistakes.

After Spanish keeper Iker Casillas made a brilliant one hand save early in the match, he was later confused by a swirling free-kick drive that found the net in the 17th min by Kucka. Could Casillas have done better? Maybe or maybe not, what is assured is that the local debate about his form & team place is back. 

From here it was virtually a Spanish whitewash with total dominance, but Slovakia kept to their game plan with their goalkeeper Kozacik making numerous brilliant interventions to keep the Spaniards out. 

As the frustration increased, Spanish Coach Del Bosque risked by taking off defender Abiol for a forward in Paco Alcacer. The move finally paid off when Jordi Alba found Alcacer in the 82nd min who scored the equalizer. However, with Spain somewhat relaxed & the defence with a three man line, Slovakia exploited the space & countered with Stoch scoring the winner in the 87th min. 

Hard knock for the reigning European Champions which are unfortunately tasting too often the bitterness of defeat in the last months. Obviously something is not right, however the solutions are not appearing to fix things. 

For Slovakia, a grand night as they set sail for the Euro 2016 Group qualification after a great game for them, with clear ideas of play & the Football they had exhibit with total faith. 

Spain next plays Luxembourg, must win, of course.     

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SPAIN 5 - MACEDONIA 1 | EURO 2016 GROUP C QUALIFIER

Spain began its Euro 2016 campaign with tonights Group C qualifier match against Macedonia in the City of Valencia (Spain). An important game as the Spanish Football National Team was under the microscope after their disastrous World Cup in Brazil, the exit of key veteran & historically irreplaceable players & a loss last week against France in a friendly. However this was official & the players were vibed up & concentrated to start well & gave a good impression of the "new look" Team. New look in some names but not a radical "revolution" as some expected.

The final result was a 5 - 1 victory for Spain over Macedonia with all the damage being done in the second half for the visitors. From a players perspective the highlights were the debut of Valencia CF young forward Alcacer, young Barça forward Munir & Iker Casillas who started as goalkeeper. At a performance level, Spain played well & got better as the match advanced. 

Macedonia played their best Football the 1st half being solid in defence but taking the Spanish ball loses as opportunities to counter-attack. After some initial "sloppy" play Spain went ahead in the 15th min through a SERGIO RAMOS penalty goal. With Macedonia still recovering from that action, Spain went further ahead through PACO ALCACER who got his first full International goal in the 17th min.

Macedonia reacted well & put in its best 15 mins of Football, dominating the ball & creating many chances. One of those attacks was rewarded with a penalty that IBRAIMI converted in the 29th min. Things remained even until just before half time when BUSQUETS got Spain´s third when he shot from outside the box (deflection included) in the 47th min.

The second half was all Spain & the 50th min goal from DAVID SILVA took all the spirit 6 Football ambition out of Macedonia. Spain continued to dominate & created numerous opportunities (Cesc hit the bar, for e.g. ) that if all converted could have made the final scoreline even much greater. The fifth goal came in the 90th min when PEDRO chipped over the Macedonian keeper.

Overall a good & promising start for Spain in the EURO 2016 road, with tonight the team doing things they have been criticised for not doing, like scoring goals & shooting from outside the box. Great match from SIlva, Koke , Cesc Fabregas & Iker Casillas who made some solid saves. Young stars Paco Alcacer & Munir debuted with the former scoring & the latter shutting the "Football door for the Moroccan Team". 

Spain will again be in Euro 2016 action with two matches early next month (Slovania & Luxemburg).

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