Spain ties the quarterfinals of the European Sub-21
A goal from Abel Ruiz after 20 seconds eliminates Croatia and gives the pass to Santi Denia’s men with the last day to go
MADRID, 24 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish Under-21 football team defeated Croatia (1-0) this Saturday thanks to a goal from Abel Ruiz in the first minute of the second day of the European Championship, which already left the ticket to the quarterfinals to missing a match
Santi Denia’s men lead Group B with six points tied with a Ukraine also classified, both quoted for first place in the last day on Tuesday. Spain came in strong and took advantage of that wave but without success, while in the second half the pace slowed down somewhat and was able to concede the Croatian draw.
La ‘Rojita’, dominator of the record with five titles, enlarged her role as favorite with a carat entry: Abel Ruiz’s goal after 20 seconds. Croatia had not touched the ball and Spain was already in command (1-0) in a perfect triangulation, although in a possible offside by Sergio Gómez, without VAR to review it.
Miranda’s pass was perfect and the Manchester City player put the ball into the pot where the captain appeared accurately. Abel Ruiz hit a perfect first-time shot after he missed the goal in the opener against Romania. Those of Santi Denia experienced a rush that they did not take advantage of with more goals.
The total dominance of Spain left good attempts by Rodri that did not find the net and a greater wear and tear on the Croatians, who chased shadows for many minutes. From the outside, the Denia team tried a lot, with Sergio Gómez bordering on second. Despite the superiority, the Spanish team left with a barely 1-0 and against an opponent forced to win to stay alive in the European.
The lack of forcefulness continued to be the Spanish problem at the restart, with a little less pace, which Denia also tried to correct with the changes. Gabri Veiga, Camello and Aimar Oroz entered, but Spain did not improve their aim, despite the fact that Miranda crashed with the stick in what would have been the goal of the tournament.
Thus, Croatia kept faith despite being unable to make a play with danger and looked for their options in direct play and set pieces. In a corner kick, the center-back Mauro Perkovic finished off alone but wide on his header and Frigan wasted a commotion in the area in the last moments of a clash that gave Spain the pass to the crosses.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: SPAIN, 1 – CROATIA, 0. (1-0, at halftime).
–LINE-UPS.
SPAIN: Arnau Tenas; Víctor Gómez, Paredes, Pacheco, Miranda, Álex Baena (Camello, min.73), Antonio Blanco (Mario Gila, min.90), Rodri (Barrenetxea, min.90), Sancet (Veiga, min.62), Sergio Gómez and Abel Ruiz (Aimar Oroz, min.74).
CROATIA: Kotarski; Sigur, Franjic (Galesic, min.80), Perkovic, Krizmanic (Colina, min.73), Sego (Stojkovic, descanso); Bulat, Prsir (Palaversa, min.73), Baturina; M. Frigan y Beljo (Kacavenda, descanso).
–GOL:
1 – 0, min.1, Abel Ruiz.
–REFEREE: Allard Lindhout (NED). He admonished Frigan (min.13), Sego (min.35) and Stojkovic (min.60) for Croatia.
— STADIUM: Giulesti Stadium.