Wales 1-4 Spain
Spain boss Luis Enrique made it three wins from three with a highly impressive win over Wales in Cardiff.
In the first International Friendly Wales vs Spain clash for over 33 years, it was hard luck for the underdogs to be without their best player in Gareth Bale. But even he would have struggled to keep the visitors at bay as they blew away their hosts with a first-half blitz: Paco Alcacer scoring a brilliant brace in front of over 50,000 fans at the Principality Stadium.
SBOBET football fans will never tire of watching Spain in this form, but it was a tough old night for Ryan Giggs’ Wales.
Highlights of the game
While Luis Enrique made six changes to his team, it was still jam-packed with quality. Alvaro Morata made a start, having hit form for Chelsea last weekend, and he was partnered with Bundesliga top scorer Paco Alcacer, who has made a real impact in his start at Borussia Dortmund, on loan from Barcelona. And it took him just eight minutes to make his mark on this game.
As Spain launched an attack, Cesar Azpilcueta’s cross was half cleared. And when Daniel Ceballos poked the ball back toward Alcacer, the BVB man curled a beauty into the top left corner, giving Wayne Hennessey no chance. Catch the Wales vs Spain highlights to see that one if you can.
But if that goal was a thing of beauty, it was rather ugly defending which allowed Spain to double their lead. A free kick was pumped into the area, and Sergio Ramos was given all the space he needed to plant a header into the bottom corner as Hennessey stayed rooted to the spot.
Like his England counterpart, Gareth Southgate, Giggs is looking to the future with some exciting young selections. But it was a lot to ask of them. Harry Wilson has been in great form for Derby; he came to the world’s attention with a brilliant goal in the Championship club’s Carabao Cup win over Manchester United. And he gave the home crowd something to cheer when he beat Ramos and drew a foul. Then he made an audacious attempt with the free kick from 35 yards, showing the ambition, if not the judgement, Giggs is looking for.
But the hope, if there was any, evaporated when the Wales defence again parted, allowing the red-hot Alcacer to volley home on 29 minutes to make it three.
The BVB man almost finished a lovely Spain move early in the second half, but his header looped over the bar. And after a nice period of possession from Wales, Aaron Ramsay forced the first save of the night from the Spain keeper; his effort from distance lacked venom, however.
Spain continued to dominate with great skill, and there was a first international goal for centre-back Marc Bartra, heading brilliantly home from a corner.
Wales kept trying to the last and, after another good spell, Tom Lawrence had a shot saved by Kepa. But the stadium erupted when the consolation came with just a minute left when the lively David Brooks crossed for Sam Vokes, and the Burnley striker headed home.
Key statistics
Luis Enrique’s Spain were imperious in their destruction of Croatia last month, and the Wales vs Spain betting odds — at 1.36 for a Spain win — hinted we might see more of the same. The first 45 minutes saw Enrique’s team deliver a master-class of crisp passing and clinical finishing. Spain had 67 per cent possession in the first half and had three shots on target to Wales’ none with a devastating result.
The second half settled down as far as the hosts were concerned, and Giggs will be pleased they managed to draw it when a massacre could have been on the cards.
In three games in charge, Enrique’s side has scored 12 and conceded two goals, and Spain have now lost once in the last 27.
The absent Bale was presented an award for being Wales’ top scorer of all time with 30 goals. Giggs will be hoping he’ll be back soon.
What’s next?
Ryan Giggs takes his team to Ireland for their next competitive game with a chance to take control of Group B4, but they’ll do well to replicate the 4-1 win they enjoyed in their UEFA Nations League opener. Vokes’ late goal against Spain will at least send them to Dublin in good heart.
It’s back to the Nations League football for Spain, too, as Enrique takes his team back home to welcome England for the second of their bouts in Group A4, that after Gareth Southgate’s young Lions take on Croatia behind closed doors on Friday. Then, Spain get another crack at Croatia in November.
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