Highlights: Spain beat Slovakia 2-0 to move top of group in Euro 2016 qualifiers
Spain beat Slovakia 2-0 in Oviedo in their Euro 2016 qualifier to leapfrog them and top Group C. Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta were on target on the night as the defending Euro champions took revenge for the 2-1 defeat to the same opponents in Zilina in October last year.
Manchester City’s playmaker David Silva was was the orchestrator for the first goal that was scored as early as the fifth minute. While controlling the ball in midfield, he saw Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba make a diagonal run past Slovakia’s back line.
The lob over the defence was timed perfectly to ensure Alba was onside and the 26-year-old defender only had to hop in the air and head home with both the defender and goalkeeper unable to do anything to prevent the goal.
For the second goal, Slovakia conceded a penalty in the 29th minute when goalkeeper Matus Kozacik tripped Diego Costa in the box. The Chelsea striker was released down the centre when club teammate Cesc Fabregas dinked the ball over the two centre backs as Costa made his run.
While he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Costa took one touch to take it away from Kozacik but was fouled in the process, although it looked like a soft contact. And as much as Kozacik made it look like he was innocent, there was definitely contact as the Brazil-born striker fell to the ground. The referee pointed to the spot and Kozacik was also shown a yellow card for the foul.
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta stepped up to take the penalty and he put it away with ease. Fooling the goalkeeper by acting like he was opening up his body to shoot to the right, he took his shot to the left bottom corner while Kozacik went the wrong way.
Spain did not dominate the game, but with the three points they are now assured of at least a third-place finish and possible qualification for Euro 2016. Both Spain and Slovakia are on 18 points while Ukraine are third on 15 points.