Skip to main content

Spain make winning start as Croatia held in Euro 2024 qualifying

PARIS: Spain won 3-0 against a Norway side missing the injured Erling Haaland in the opening round of Euro 2024 qualifiers Saturday, while Wales snatched a stoppage-time equaliser to frustrate Croatia.

Dani Olmo turned in Alejandro Balde’s driven low cross on 13 minutes in Malaga and Joselu scored twice on his Spain debut to give new coach Luis de la Fuente a victory in his first match in charge.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled off a brilliant reflex stop to deny Fredrik Aursnes and clawed another effort off the line on his first start for Spain since October 2020.

Alexander Sorloth then volleyed wide before Espanyol striker Joselu came off the bench and bagged a quick-fire double — heading in his first and sweeping home a rebound for the second.

“I still can’t believe it,” said the 32-year-old Joselu, the first Spain player to net twice on his international debut since Fernando Morientes in 1998.

“For any player this is just the best thing that can happen. It’s the reward for all the daily work.”

Three-time European champions Spain next go to Scotland, who saw off Cyprus 3-0 in their Group A opener after Scott McTominay scored twice late on as a substitute at Hampden Park.

Cyprus finished with 10 men after Nicholas Ioannou was sent off for a second yellow in added time.

“It’s a really good start but we have to try and back it up on Tuesday against the Spanish,” said Scotland manager Steve Clarke.

Norway, who haven’t played at a major tournament since Euro 2000, will again be without Manchester City striker Haaland for next week’s trip to Georgia because of a groin problem.

Unlikely Welsh hero

Croatia, finalists and semi-finalists at the past two World Cups, conceded a last-gasp equaliser to kick off Group D as Wales debutant Nathan Broadhead tapped home a flick-on from a long throw.

“I got a bit overwhelmed to be honest, a bit emotional,” Broadhead, who plays for third-tier Ipswich, told S4C. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long.

“We needed a point, we came here to try and win but to get a point is good as well.”

Andrej Kramaric’s low shot from just outside the area had given Croatia the lead in Split against a Wales team beginning life after the retirement of their record goalscorer and captain Gareth Bale.

Luka Modric won his 163rd cap for Croatia, who have never lost a home European Championship qualifier — a run now spanning 36 matches dating back to 1994.

Turkey came from behind to defeat Armenia 2-1 in Yerevan as efforts from Orkun Kokcu and Kerem Akturkoglu cancelled out an early own goal by former Liverpool defender Ozan Kabak.

Renato Steffen scored a first-half hat-trick as Switzerland thrashed Belarus 5-0 in a game played behind closed doors in Serbia.

UEFA has banned Belarus from playing at home due to the country’s support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Granit Xhaka and Zeki Amdouni, on his second international appearance, added goals in the second half as Switzerland powered top of Group I.

Dennis Man and Denis Alibec were on target as Romania eased to a 2-0 win away to 10-man Andorra, while Israel drew 1-1 at home to Kosovo.

READ: Ballance, Madhevere star as Zimbabwe win ODI series

The post Spain make winning start as Croatia held in Euro 2024 qualifying appeared first on ASports.tv.



from Football – ASports.tv https://ift.tt/aTKFZYh
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pakistan floods: South Asia’s monsoon explained

Floods in Pakistan have killed more than 1,000 people after what its climate change minister called a record unbroken cycle of monsoon rains with “8 weeks of non-stop torrents”. AFP explains what the monsoon is, why it is so important and yet so dangerous, and how climate change and other man-made effects may be altering the vast life-giving but destructive annual weather system. What is the South Asian monsoon? The Southwest or the Asian Summer Monsoon is essentially a colossal sea breeze that brings South Asia 70-80 percent of its annual rainfall between June and September every year. It occurs when summer heat warms the landmass of the subcontinent, causing the air to rise and sucking in cooler Indian Ocean winds which then produce enormous volumes of rain. Why it is important? The monsoon is vital for agriculture and therefore for the livelihoods of millions of farmers and for food security in the poor region of around two billion people. But it brings destruction every ye...
Post a Comment
Read more

Faisal Vawda foresees imminent sacking of a provincial governor

ISLAMABAD: Senator Faisal Vawda hinted at the removal of one of the provincial governors very soon. Speaking during the ARY News program, Senator Faisla Vawda said on Friday, “A provincial governor will be in troubled waters soon and his time is up. Without mentioning the name, Faisla Vawda said the governor in question has been selling his name, making money, and telling lies, now his turn has come, and he has to go home soon”. Vawda predicted that the governor’s removal would occur within the next week or two months but he will surely be removed from his post. He also took the opportunity to criticize the PPP-led Sindh government, stating that none of its cabinet members, aside from Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, are capable of writing a paragraph in English. Vawda added that only god can save the country when Pakistan’s future is in the hands of such persons. Additionally, Vawda touched on the murder of anchor person Arshad Sharif, claiming that the facts of the case will soo...
Post a Comment
Read more

CDA removes golden hands sculpture in Islamabad after online backlash

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday removed a recently installed ‘Golden Hands’ sculpture located along Margalla Avenue in Islamabad. The artwork featured two large golden hands holding two balls like objects resembling a world map. Installed by a private developer, the sculpture quickly gained widespread attention on social media, sparking debate, memes, and a wave of speculation over its symbolism. Soon after its installation, the monument became the subject of intense online discussion. Social media users assigned various meanings to the structure with many interpreting it as a symbol of Pakistan’s rising global presence while others saw it as an ambitious but misplaced artistic expression. Amid the growing online buzz, CDA officials reportedly sprang into action. Initially, the sculpture was covered with cloth in an apparent attempt to minimize public reaction. Later, the structure was dismantled and removed using heavy machinery and labour teams. The ...
Post a Comment
Read more