Spain beat Denmark to seal Nations League group win
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Denmark's Morten Hjulmand and Spain's Mikel Oiarzabal vie for the ball during the match.
PHOTO: AFP
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COPENHAGEN – Mikel Oyarzabal and Ayoze Perez scored as Spain showed their ability to “suffer” to earn a 2-1 victory over hosts Denmark on Nov 15 and clinch top spot in Nations League Group A4, after they secured a place in the quarter-finals in October.
Spain were missing several players from the 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final but opened the scoring with a strike from inside the box by Oyarzabal after 15 minutes, with Perez extending their lead on the counter in the 58th minute. A mistake by substitute Fabian Ruiz gifted Denmark’s Gustav Isaksen a late consolation after a poor pass back.
“We came here with the objective of winning. We knew we were going to have to suffer a bit, but we’re happy with the result, the first place,” Oyarzabal told TVE.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente added: “Above all, I really congratulate the players, because they have many talents. They surprise us every day with different options in the game and because they know how to suffer, which is still the most important thing. We’re very happy, because we can take very positive conclusions from all these games.”
With one round left, Spain have 13 points, six ahead of Denmark, with bottom side Switzerland relegated after a 1-1 draw with Serbia left them on two points. Serbia have five points.
The Danes travel to Serbia on Nov 18 needing at least a draw to secure second place and a spot in the quarter-finals.
With Spain’s place in the knockouts already secured after a 3-0 home win against Serbia in October, the European champions maintained their imperious form, despite missing Dani Carvajal and Rodri due to serious knee injuries and with key players like Lamine Yamal and Robin Le Normand also absent.
Spanish started well, with forward Perez missing a great chance from a corner in the eighth minute and hitting the bar four minutes later.
They finally took the lead when a defensive mistake handed the ball to Dani Olmo, who combined with Perez to provide an assist for Spain’s Euro 2024 final hero Oyarzabal to fire home.
Spain wasted several chances to extend their lead before Olmo finally found Perez, who beat the offside trap before slotting home.
Denmark rallied and Ruiz’s back pass put goalkeeper David Raya under pressure with Isaksen, who had hit the post in the 78th minute, pouncing to score.
Said Denmark coach Brian Riemer: “We made too many mistakes (in the first half). Spain’s first goal was a clear example of what not to do when facing a team as skilled as Spain. We fixed a few things during the break.” REUTERS
