Thursday, March 28, 2024

Spain beats Kosovo in Seville (3-1)

April 1, 2021
Spain beats Kosovo in Seville (3-1)

The Spanish National Football Team won their third qualifier for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and top the group with 7 points, one more than Sweden. Luis Enrique’s side beat Kosovo 3-1 with goals from Dani Olmo, Ferrán Torres and Gerard Moreno. In this international break, Spain have drawn against Greece, and beaten Georgia and Kosovo. The latter match was again played on Andalusian soil, specifically at the Estadio de la Cartuja, Seville.

Spain beat Kosovo (3-1) but were not convincing in their play. From the start, the Spanish national team dominated the ball but without much depth. In the 34th minute, Dani Olmo appeared in the box and with a great right-footed curling shot he put it into the top corner. Two minutes later, a good run by Ferrán Torres down the right flank ended in another goal. 2-0 at half-time for a Spanish team that was still not convincing.

Marcos Llorente repeated at right-back, Pedri in midfield and Morata up front. Sergio Ramos was a substitute and came on in the 86th minute in place of Eric García to add to his 180th cap, four shy of the world record. On the other hand, the other Andalusian in the Spanish squad, Bryan Gil, was left out of the squad.

In the second half, Spain continued to dominate and the chances came and went, but Spain were unable to add to their lead. It was Kosovo who closed the gap on the scoreboard. In the 70th minute, Unai Simón came out of his area, ran almost to the centre of the pitch to clear a ball, lost it and Halimi scored from distance to make it 2-1. The gaffe had been monumental. But five minutes later, Gerard Moreno, who had just come on for Morata, put the scoreboard at ease by making it 3-1 after a header at the near post from Koke’s cross from the corner.