Spain turns the tables at La Rosaleda
Luis Enrique’s men go on vacation with a 2-0 win against the Czech Republic and group leaders in the League of Nations
MADRID, 12 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish soccer team beat the Czech Republic (2-0) this Sunday in the fourth day of the League of Nations, held at the La Rosaleda Stadium in Malaga, to close the international marathon before the holidays as leaders of the Group 2, thanks also to Portugal’s defeat against Switzerland (1-0).
Those of Luis Enrique Martínez deserve the trust of the fans. They did it in the last European Championship or in qualifying for the World Cup, until the tail everything is bull, and in a decorated square like the one in Malaga, the ‘Roja’ provided an afternoon of those who make fans of the national team, with the goals of Soler and Sarabia.
After drawing against Portugal and the Czechs, Spain turns the tables with their wins against Switzerland, on Thursday in Geneva, and now this victory that, with the favor of Portugal, places them in a preferential position to repeat the ‘Final Four’ . Luis Enrique’s men (8 points) will defend first place and that ticket to the matches on September 24 and 27 against Switzerland, at home, and Portugal (7), away.
The men’s team, who played with the women’s shirt in support of their imminent participation in the EURO, won the vacation after doubts and difficulties that have not been exclusive to ‘Lucho’. The tournament has many favorites against the ropes, with their legs loaded and everything up in the air.
As the last task, Spain had a Czech Republic that was close to beating the ‘Red’ in Prague a week ago, saving the tie in 91′ by Iñigo Martínez. The start was tremendously demanding and the Czechs even managed to win the game and the chances, in a strong pressure that left several losses in the locals, especially Marcos Alonso, forcing Unai Simon.
Spain came out with quality, motivated by the great atmosphere at La Rosaleda, but those losses raised doubts. Cerny grazed the visitor’s goal with a shot from the edge of the box and Kuchta had a one-on-one with Simon. The start was already Czech when Spain found the goal before the game, with a simple play between Koke, Asensio and Soler’s entry to make it 1-0 around half an hour.
Those of ‘Lucho’ tried to take advantage of the rush and arrived with great danger, even claiming a penalty on Asensio. Soler was able to score the brace and the Czechs lost their joy until the break to try not to concede another goal. In the second half, Jaroslav Silhavy’s team pressed again.
Pesek had the closest Czech approach until Luis Enrique brought on a Gavi who, acclaimed by the stands, revolutionized the game as he pleased. The young Barça player gave command to Spain in the final half hour, with very little left of the rival, releasing the ‘Red’ his offensive game before packing for the summer.
In a good start by Eric García, highly criticized from the first leg against the Czechs, Asensio’s death pass did not find a shot, but in Gavi’s play, well continued by Dani Olmo and Ferran, Sarabia made it 2-0 just after entering to field. Spain, finalist in the last League of Nations, fuels already wanting to repeat.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: SPAIN, 2 – CZECH REPUBLIC, 0. (1-0, at halftime).
–ALIGNMENTS.
SPAIN: Unai Simon; Carvajal, Eric García, Íñigo Martínez, Marcos Alonso (Alonso, min.78); Rodri, Koke (Busquets, min.78), Soler (Gavi, min.59); Asensio (Sarabia, min.72), Dani Olmo and Morata (Ferran, min.59).
CZECH REPUBLIC: Mandous; Winter, Brabec, Jemelka; Soucek, Sadílek (King, min. 30), Zeleny (Kalvach, min. 79), Coufal; Cerny (Hlozek, min.60), Kuchta (Jurecka, min.59) and Pesek (Tecl, min.79).
–GOALS:
1 – 0, min.24, Soler.
2 –0, min.75, Sarabia.
–REFEREE: Cüneyt Çakir (TUR). He admonished Carvajal (min.78) by Spain.
–STADIUM: La Rosaleda. 30,389 spectators.