Spain stamps the ticket for the European Under-21 in Slovakia

Objective accomplished. Without the brilliance and forcefulness exhibited in the recent 8-0 against Lithuania in Talavera de la Reina, the Spanish under-21 team did not fail in the field of the tough Slovakia and sealed their qualification for the final phase of the European Championship in the category , which will take place next year in Romania and Georgia. The draw was enough, as Russia is not included in the group due to UEFA sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine, but Luis de la Fuente’s young team prevailed thanks to goals from Bryan Gil, Sergio Gómez and debutant Robert Navarro. There are two days left, but the June games against Northern Ireland and Malta will be mere training.

Luis de la Fuente’s team suffered more than it should have in the end, but appeared with a good attitude on the Zilina artificial turf. He was spurred on by that triumphant walk against the Baltics, the motivation of being able to acquire the ticket for a great continental competition and, incidentally, get closer to the Paris 2024 Games, where the four semifinalists of that Olympic event will compete.

He appeared against Slovakia with the debut of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García due to Arnau Tenas’ temporary promotion to the senior team and Aguirrezabala’s injury. In addition, Unai Vencedor’s suspension gave Barça player Nico González stripes on paper, who went unnoticed and was substituted at half-time after being dropped against Lithuania due to a fever.

The draw against a rival that, curiously, La Rojita had already beaten 3-2 in the first round match played in La Cartuja, was enough, but Spain unleashed hostilities with high pressure and undeniable dominance. He went ahead immediately, after a run to the bottom line of the Betis Miranda, who passed back so that the Valencian Bryan Gil did not forgive.

The clear superiority of the visitors could be seen with the second goal, but Rodri’s shot was deflected off the woodwork. Control of the situation in defense, government in midfield and danger up front with the interesting trident formed by Sergio Gómez, Abel Ruiz and the aforementioned Bryan Gil, who also touched the second after a drop shot by the Sporting de Braga striker.

Sergio Gómez, decisive

Spain did not fasten the victory then, lost control for a few minutes and let the spirited Slovaks grow, who began to generate uncertainty in isolated counterattacks and strategic actions. The Austrian referee, too protagonist, hardly allowed to play, whistled too much and was much protested in the action of the draw. The ‘txuri urdin’ Jon Pacheco touched the ball, but the judge indicated a more than debatable penalty that he later ordered to repeat. In the second, Jan Bernat, midfielder of the Belgian Westerlo, overtook Joan García, who guessed his intention but could not stop the shot.

The clash was resumed with Manu Sánchez and Turrientes in place of Miranda and Nico. In addition, Alejandro Francés from Zaragoza was soon injured and Víctor Chust entered, a central defender on loan from Real Madrid at Cádiz, who was imperial. It was difficult for Spain to generate occasions to unbalance the balance because their figures appeared less, especially Bryan Gil, but they found the way from set pieces, thanks to a great shot by Sergio Gómez.

Author of seven goals in as many games in the qualifying phase, the versatile Anderlecht attacker has become the figure of La Rojita. Already at 1-2, the key to success lay in not repeating the mistakes of the first act and waiting for the moment to sentence, as it was. The debut of the realist Robert Navarro took place, who closed the victory with the third. Impossible best premiere, although the Central Europeans made up the defeat in the discount.