March 25, 2023, 6:36 PM
March 25, 2023, 6:36 PM
Spain defeated Norway 3-0 in Luis de la Fuente’s first game as coach, this Saturday in Malaga at the start of his qualifying campaign for the Euro Cup in Germany-2024, on a day in which Croatia drew (1-1) at home before Wales.
In group A, La Roja is the leader tied with Scotland, who beat Cyprus at home by the same result. Georgia, who completes the key, had to rest on the opening day.
– Group A: Joselu’s express double –
Eliminated in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar by Morocco, Spain began its new era, with De la Fuente replacing Luis Enrique on the bench, with an important victory against a Norway that had several chances, missing the efficiency of its great star, Erling Haaland, injured.
Without the City scorer, the headlines were taken by Joseluauthor of a double of nine pure in two minutes (84 and 85) as soon as he jumped onto the field (81) in his first international match two days after his 33rd birthday.
“I still don’t believe it. It is the maximum that a player can have. The daily work has had its reward. I feel like an 18-year-old boy”, said an emotional Joselu.
In the first part Dani Olmo had opened the scoring (13), which culminated in a colorful collective play.
De la Fuente, who is promoted from the U-21 teamHe printed his stamp with a more vertical team and offering more variants in attack, but vulnerable in defense against an ineffective Norway.
In the other party of the key Scotland got off to a strong start against Cyprus thanks to Scott McTominay’s double in the closing minutes.
He took the lead with a volley from Aston Villa defender John McGinn (21), but could not close the game until McTominay entered the court, who only played the last 25 minutes of the game.
The Manchester United midfielder put the second for his team with his left foot from inside the small area after controlling the ball with his thigh (87) and closed the score with a right-footed shot at the height of the penalty spot (90+3).
– Group D: Wales surprise in Split –
Croatia, brand new third in the last World Cup in Qatar, seemed to be heading for a comfortable victory after Andrej Kramaric’s goal (28) but Wales, now without their great reference Gareth Bale, retired, equalized in discount (90 + 3) thanks to Nathan Broadhead, scorer in his first game with the Dragons.
Luka Modric, the legend of the Balkan team (163 games and 23 goals at the age of 37), he had been substituted a minute earlier.
The first place goes to Turkey, which took all three points in his visit to Armenia after coming back from the initial goal for the locals (2-1). Latvia, who completes the key, had to rest.
– Group I: Swiss ride in Belarus –
Switzerland took a walk in Belarus in their Group I debut and won 5-0, with a hat-trick from veteran Reanto Steffen in the first half hour of play (5, 17 and 29) and goals from Granit Xhaka (65) and Zeki Andoni (65).
In the other encounters of this key, Kosovo tore a point in his visit to Israel (1-1) and Romania delivered (2-0) on their visit to humble Andorra. With these results, Switzerland, the great favorite to finish first, takes the lead, with the same points as Romania.
