SPAIN made it to Euro 2020’s knockout stage after thrashing Slovakia with a score of 5-0 at the Estadio de la Cartuja.
The Furia Roja saw Alvaro Morata’s penaly kick being saved by Martin Dubravka but the Newcastle goalkeeper soon went from hero to zero.
Dubravka scored the tournament’s most shocking own goal and it was his error that led to Aymeric Laport’e header in the first half’s dying moments.
Pablo Sarabia sealed the win soon after in the second half before Ferran Torres’ beautiful backheel and Juraj Kucka’s own goal sent Spain through to the Last 16 where they will face Croatia.
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THAT’S ALL FROM SEVILLE
Spain punched their ticket to Euro 2020’s Last 16 following a dominant 5-0 win against Slovakia at the Estadio La Cartuja.
The Furia Roja endured a poor start as Alvaro Morata wasted a penalty shot, which was denied by Martin Dubravka on 11 minutes.
But Dubravka quickly went from hero to zero soon after in the 30th minute when it started to rain goals for Luis Enrique’s men.
Pablo Sarabia’s long-range shot rattled the crossbar and as the ball came falling down the Newcastle shot-stopper failed to hold on to it and scored the tournament’s most shocking own goal.
Luis Enrique’s men doubled their lead in the third minute of stoppage time as Dubravka’s nightmare continued.
The Slovakia keeper failed to beat Gerard Moreno to the ball and the Villarreal star turned around with a cross that Aymeric Laporte headed to the back of the net.
Sarabia sealed qualification for Spain in the the 56th minute when he picked up Jordi Alba’s low cross from the left and finished off from close range.
Then Ferran Torres made it four with a beautiful backheel on his first contact with the ball following a pass by Sarabia on 67 minutes.
The cherry on top came just four minutes later when a header by Pau Torres deflected off of Juraj Kucka.
Spain are now set to face Croatia in Euro 2020’s knockout stages.
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GETTY IMAGES SARABIA REACTS
Spain international Pablo Sarabia put together a stunning performance against Slovakia and praised his team-mates.
Sarabia also slammed Raphael van der Vaart’s recent criticism of the Furia Roja.
The Paris Saint-Germain star said: “We all needed this to gain confidence and restore the illusion to the people to face the next game.
“The team did well in the first 20 minutes, with brutal intensity. We deserve it.
“Jordi [Alba] saw me very well in the goal. He needed this goal to gain confidence.
“The Van der Vaart thing is silly. This works for us and our people. To know the potential of this team. We know that Croatia will be very difficult”
GETTY IMAGES RESS-T IN PEACE
Spain international Ferran Torres scored a fine backheel on his first contact with the ball.
It took Torres only 44 seconds to hit the back of the net against Slovakia today.
And it seems like he has beaten a record that was previously held by compatriot Juan Carlos Valeron.
More below:
BUSQUETS REACTS
Spain star Sergio Busquets is very happy to be back and stated that although the national team accepts criticism they will not tolerate any “lack of respect”.
Busquets said: “We didn’t play the games we wanted and today was a rush. This is the way.
“We did not depend on us to be first, but it will help us. I’m excited. I’ve had a pretty bad 10 days at home without knowing if I was going to be able to come back or not.
“Now whatever comes. Today was what we all needed. The public has been very good and we connected from the beginning. So we are much stronger.
“The penalty was a shame, but we kept trying. Today we have had the luck that we have lacked in the other games.
“As I said, we accept the criticism, but not the lack of respect and more from people who have also been here. No need to review it again”
GETTY IMAGES WHAT’S NEXT?
Spain made it through to Euro 2020’s Last 16 with a dominant display against Slovakia.
As it stands, the Furia Roja are going to meet Croatia in the knockout stages.
The Croats finished second in Group D, just three points behind table-toppers England.
This promises to be an exciting encounter…
GETTY IMAGES UPDATED TABLE
Spain saved the best for last as they climbed up to second place and made it to Euro 2020’s Last 16.
The Furia Roja, though, failed to top Group E as Sweden defeated Poland 3-2 in Saint Petersburg.
Slovakia finished third but didn’t make it to the knockout stage and thus Ukraine are through to the next round.
More below:
STATS
Spain dominated 66 per cent of possession throughout the match against Slovakia.
The Furia Roja completed a whopping total of 19 shots, nine of which were on target.
Slovakia, on the other hand, only managed a mere three shots, but none of them were on target,
However, Stefan Tarkovic’s men didn’t have a single clear-cut chance
FT: SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
Spain punched their ticket to Euro 2020’s Last 16 following a dominant display against Slovakia at the Estadio La Cartuja.
The game started badly for the Furia Roja as Alvaro Morata’s poor penalty shot was denied by Martin Dubravka on 11 minutes.
But Dubravka quickly went from hero to zero soon after in the 30th minute when it started to rain goals for the Spaniards.
Pablo Sarabia’s long-range shot rattled the crossbar and as the ball came falling down the Newcastle keeper failed to hold on to it and scored the tournament’s most shocking own goal.
Luis Enrique’s men doubled their lead in the third minute of stoppage time when Dubravka’s nightmare continued.
The Slovakia shot-stopper failed to beat Gerard Moreno to the ball and the Villarreal star turned around with a cross that Aymeric Laporte headed to the back of the net.
Sarabia sealed qualification for Spain in the the 56th minute when he picked up a low cross by Jordi Alba from the left and finished off from close range.
Then Ferran Torres made it four with a beautiful backheel on his first contact with the ball following a pass by Sarabia on 67 minutes.
The cherry on top came just four minutes later when a header by Pau Torres deflected off of Juraj Kucka
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S FULL-TIME IN SEVILLE!
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
90+4 YELLOW CARD
Skriniar gets booked for dissent just seconds before full-time
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
90+3 It was almost a perfect game for Spain.
But Sweden have regained the lead with Claesson and made it 3-2.
That means the Swedes are top of the group and the Furia Roja go through to the Last 16 by finishing second
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
90 Just four more minutes of added time to go until full-time.
Neither team is really pushing for something better…
Spain are obviously comfortable whereas Slovakia have accepted their fate
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
90 SUBSTITUTION
Slovakia manager Tarkovic makes his last change as Benes replaces captain Hamsik
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
89 CHANCE
Oyarzabal tries a shot from a tight angle down the left but completely misses the target
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
88 Spain’s incredible performance and comeback comes down to Busquets’ return.
The Barcelona legend was outstanding in midfield and completely changed the Furia Roja’s image.
But Sarabia has also been spectacular and turned into the leader manager Enrique has been looking fior
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
85 Tempo has significantly decreased in Seville, but neither team is too fussed.
Cheers start emerging from the live Spanish crowd as they just realised that Spain are now top of the group!
If nothing changes then the Furia Roja will have produced an epic comeback in the group stages!
GETTY IMAGES SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
83 But none of Spain’s five goals compare to Lewandowski’s stunner in the other game of the group.
The Bayern Munich star produced a marvellous curling shot.
Oh, and by the way, Lewandowski JUST equalised for Poland!
Spain’s hopes of topping the group have dramatically increased!
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
82 CHANCE!
Spain come close to a sixth!
Alba delivers a cross from the left flank and Oyarzabala barely misses the ball in front of open goal
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
80 And then it was Pau Torres who followed his namesake’s example.
Or at least he thought he did until he got some unintended help from Kucka
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
79 Then Ferran Torres made an instant impact right off the bench.
And the Manchester City star added some class to his introduction…
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
78 Here’s how Sarabia sealed the big win for Spain.
Slovakia thought that was bad…
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
77 SUBSTITUTION
Spain manager Enrique makes another double switch to rest some more key players.
Oyarzabal replaces Gerard and Traore takes Azpilicueta’s place
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
74 Such poor defending from Slovakia…
Absolutely no one was able to clear the ball before Kucka’s own goal…
SPAIN 5-0 SLOVAKIA
71 Okay, so first things first:
Thiago and Pau Torres came on for Busquets and Garcia respectively.
And then Torres, just like his other namesake, hit the back of the net on his first contact with the ball, kind of…
Thiago tried a shot from the edge of the box but the ball bounced in the air.
Skriniar failed to clear the ball with his head as he sent it backwards where Laporte got a header of his own.
The Manchester City star set Pau up, who headed the ball that got a deflection off of Kucka, so another own goal!
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!
SPAIN SCORE A FIFTH WITH PAU TORRES!!!!!!!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
