Spain had been already clear group winners in Group B and confronted Albania within the remaining group stage. Albania, which is lacking the suspended Mirlind Daku, for its half was in want of factors and within the occasion of a loss in opposition to Spain, it was sport over for the “eagles” within the EC.
When the beginning elevens had been introduced, it was clear that Luis de la Fuente made as many as ten (!) adjustments within the beginning eleven in comparison with the earlier match, which was comprehensible as Spain had been already group winners. The bench was rested, and Aymeric Laporte was the one participant from the earlier match to take a spot within the beginning eleven. Joselu, who has been reported to be sad together with his restricted enjoying time, thus “lastly” acquired the prospect to start out.
Albania, for its half, made a change. It was Ivan Balliu who will get to take his place as a substitute of Elseid Hysaj within the right-back place.
After a gap match with excessive ball possession and a few possibilities, Spain took the lead. Ferran Torres obtained a butter cross from Dani Olmo and was in a position to put within the lead aim through the put up following 13 minutes performed. Torres celebrated by placing his fingers behind his ears.
– Good run from Ferran Torres. Albania’s protection cannot sustain, and Torres wrong-foots it on the far put up. It’s mastered, it’s managed. He is carried out it earlier than. A superb cross from Olmo that reveals that the nationwide workforce captain can depend on him within the eighth, stated TV4’s skilled Henok Goitom within the broadcast.
Spain continued to press, and following 40 minutes, Ferran Torres turned a two-goal scorer. Grimaldo despatched a cross into the penalty space, and Torres acquired a very good strain on the header. However the ball went simply over Strakosha’s crossbar.
Within the remaining minutes, David Raya was compelled to face for a parade, when Kristjan Asslani pushed off a stable shot exterior the penalty space. Nothing extra occurred, and the rating was thus 1-0 to the Spaniards when the referee blew for the half-time break.
– Spain’s “B-eleven”, as we are able to name it, I feel is nice sufficient to go far. That claims loads in regards to the high quality of the starters. Ten adjustments, it does not present on the pitch. They do it very well. Albania is standing up and cheering exhausting, however Spain is doing actually, very well, stated the Soccer Channel’s columnist Siavoush Fallahi at halftime.
Visitor skilled Astrit Ajdarević agreed.
– They (Albania) aren’t actually shut. Spain dominates the entire half and reveals what class they’ve. So it was what was anticipated, Albania does not have the standard to match Spain, he stated.
– What’s fortunate for Albania is that it solely reads 0-1. However it is going to take a giant miracle in the event that they flip round, concluded Astrit Ajdarević.
Spain continued to drum up within the opening of the second half and lined up a bunch of scoring possibilities. However there have been no objectives and Albania held on to the match – regardless of Spanish dominance.
However within the sixty fourth minute of the match, Albania acquired an ideal place. Kristjan Asslani rigorously slotted a fast free-kick into the penalty space, and substitute Armando Broja struck on the half-volley. However Raya was on the scoresheet and made a superb reflex save.
Within the 71st minute of the match, the Spanish supporters had a second of pleasure when Barcelona’s tremendous expertise Lamine Yamal was substituted. He was concerned within the sport early on and appeared desperate to play.
Within the remaining levels of the match, the gang entered the pitch, and a brief break adopted. But it surely solely took a minute or so earlier than the sport began once more.
Albania made a valiant effort to equalize within the closing minutes, however no aim ever got here. The ultimate consequence was thus 0-1 to Spain, who received the group with a full pot and nil objectives conceded.
The EC journey is thus over for Albania, who got here final in Group B.
Startelvor:
Albania: Strakosha – Balliu, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj – Laci, Ramadani, Asslani – Asani, Manaj, Bajrami.
Spain: Raya – Grimaldo, Laporte, Vivian, Navas – Zubimendi, Merino – Torres, Olmo, Oyarzabal – Joselu.
