Ayoze Perez impressed Nations League holders Spain to a 2-1 win at Denmark on Friday to clinch high spot in Group A4.
The Euro 2024 champions had already sealed progress to the quarter-finals and this victory expanded their lead on second place Denmark to 6 factors with a match to spare.
Villarreal ahead Perez arrange Mikel Oyarzabal for the opening aim after which tucked residence La Roja’s second himself to safe victory in Copenhagen, with Gustav Isaksen pulling one again late on for the hosts as they piled on the strain.
“Above all, I actually congratulate the gamers, as a result of they’ve many skills, they shock us each day with totally different choices within the recreation and since they know the best way to undergo, which continues to be a very powerful factor,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente informed TVE.
“We’re very pleased, as a result of we are able to take very constructive conclusions from all these video games.”
De la Fuente was with out injured Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and long-term absentee Rodri amongst others, and began with simply three gamers who started the European Championship ultimate this summer time in opposition to England.
Perez almost despatched Spain forward however crashed a shot in opposition to the publish after Pedro Porro performed him in with a intelligent low go.
The striker turned supplier as a substitute three minutes later as he arrange Oyarzabal to complete a neat workforce transfer.
Spain have been on high and conceding few alternatives to Denmark and it was no shock after they doubled their lead.
Barcelona playmaker Dani Olmo slipped in Perez, who slotted residence with a medical end.
Perez ought to have netted a second when nicely positioned however tried a chip which span extensive off his boot.
De la Fuente handed Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, who has turn into a fixture for his membership, a nationwide workforce debut.
Unhealthy information for Spain got here within the type of accidents to Alex Baena and Martin Zubimendi, earlier than Isaksen’s late strike.
The ahead charged down David Raya after Fabian Ruiz handed again to the Arsenal goalkeeper and the ball deflected into the online.
Raya made amends with a nice save to thwart Skov Olsen in stoppage time and guarantee his workforce stored the three factors.
“We got here right here with the intention of profitable, we knew we must undergo, as we did ultimately,” Oyarzabal, who scored Spain’s Euro 2024 profitable aim, informed TVE.
“We had a superb recreation and we’re proud of the victory.”
Spain, 15 matches unbeaten throughout all competitions, face Switzerland on Monday of their ultimate Nations League group match.
AFP