Football news - Alvaro Morata brace helps Spain past stubborn Malta
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Updated 26/03/2019 at 22:33 GMT
Euro 2020 qualifying, Ta’Qali Stadium – Malta 0 Spain 2 (Morata 31’, 73’)
Spain's defender Sergio Ramos (3rdL) embraces Spain's forward Alvaro Morata after he scored his second goal during the Euro 2020 Group F qualifying football match Malta vs Spain on March 26, 2019 at the Ta' Qali Stadium in Malta.
Image credit: Getty Images
A brace from Alvaro Morata helped Spain past a stubborn Malta side on Tuesday evening. After a nervy 2-1 victory over Norway on Saturday Luis Enrique rang the changes for the trip to Malta.
Captain Sergio Ramos, Marco Asensio and Morata were the only players to keep their place in the starting line-up. Morata made the most of his chance with goals in either half, as Spain controlled the match from start to finish.
Norway's dramatic 3-3 draw with Sweden means the three-time European champions are two points clear at the top of Group F with their next game against Faroe Islands in June.
Luis Enrique was absent due to personal reasons at the Ta’Qali National Stadium, and while he will have watched his side carve at 23 attempts from their 80 per cent possession and a remarkable 961 passes, the former Barcelona boss would not have been overly impressed by his side's display, with Malta's disciplined backline frustrating the visitors for long periods.
While France, Germany and England have demonstrated just why they are ranked among the favourites for the finals, Spain laboured during the first half against the side ranked 182nd in the world, grateful to Henry Bonello's poor goalkeeping as Morata struck the opener after 31 minutes.
The on-loan Atletico Madrid striker had already spurned a good opportunity from Sergi Roberto's cross when he latched onto Mario Hermoso's ball to slide his shot underneath the Malta 'keeper.
Malta continued to hold their own in the second period, as Bonello made amends for his error to deny Marco Asensio on two occasions, but there was little he could do about Morata's second which killed the contest with 17 minutes remaining.
By that stage, assistant coach Robert Moreno had hooked the below-par Saul Niguez and introduced Jesus Navas, moving Roberto to his more favoured central position, and it was the former Manchester City winger who found space down the right to pick out Morata for a simple header at the far post.
Morata made way for Rodrigo in the final 10 minutes, and the Valencia striker set up Roberto for a chance to put extra gloss on the scoreline in the dying minutes, but Bonello was untested by his scuffed shot as Spain were forced to settle for a two-goal victory.
TALKING POINT – Morata’s perseverance pays off in Enrique’s absence
It was Spain’s assistant coach Robert Moreno who took charge of Tuesday’s European Qualifier with Luis Enrique absent due to personal reasons, but after finding himself crowded out by Malta’s five-man defence in the opening half an hour, he showed his pedigree to convert his only clear-cut chance to relieve any mounting tension.
You wonder whether a striker who has been plagued by confidence issues would have played with the same freedom had Enrique been prowling the touchline with Rodrigo in reserve, but while he missed his fair share of chances, his far post header to double Spain’s leader was a trademark finish.
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Alvaro Morata celebrates his second goal against Malta
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH - Sergi Roberto (Spain)
While Morata will grab the headlines for his two strikes, Sergi Roberto was arguably the only Spain player whose standards didn't drop throughout the 90 minutes, providing a constant outlet down the right and an endless supply of crosses before he was moved into a more central position to accommodate for Jesus Navas.
The versatile Barcelona man has only six caps to his name, but he can expect a lot more if he carries on in this form.
PLAYER RATINGS
- Malta: Bonello 7, Borg 7, Caruana 7, Corbolan 6, Zerafa 7, Muscat 6, Guillaumier 6, Mbong 6, Fenech 6, Mintoff 6, Z. Muscat 6, Nwoko 6..subs - Micallef 6, Mifsud 6, R. Muscat 6.
- Spain: Kepa 6, Gaya 7, S. Roberto 8, Hermoso 7, Ramos 7, Rodri 7, Saul 5, Canales 6, Bernat 6, Asensio 7, Morata 8..ubs - Rodrigo 6, Muniain 6, Navas 7.
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Juan Bernat was substituted early in the second half after a quiet night
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY MOMENTS
- 16’ SHOT! Malta 0-0 Spain: There's the first half-chance of the evening for Spain as Sergi Roberto lays the ball into Saul Niguez's feet, he rolls his man before lashing a left-footed drive that is a yard wide of Henry Bonello's right-hand post!
- 18’ MISS! Malta 0-0 Spain: Saul's late arrivals into the box is a major part of Spain's plans tonight, but this time he really ought to score. It's the same combination as Roberto advances down the right and finds the Atletico Madrid midfielder, but he lacks composure as he slices his left-footed shot high and wide!
- 31’ GOAL! Malta 0-1 Spain: He's not missing this time. After six games without a goal for his country, here's Alvaro Morata's 14th strike for his country. Defender Mario Hermoso plays a delightdful ball down the left flank but Morata has little to aim at... Bonello should be doing much better, but he allows the striker's shot to go underneath him from the angle as the ball spins over the line!
- 59’ SAVE! Malta 0-1 Spain: The frustration is written all over the face of Marco Asensio after Spain's best move of the match. Rodrigo shows great vision to spot the run of Seri Roberto down the right. He lays the ball into Asensio's path first-time but the midfielder scuffs his shot into the gloves of Bonello.
- 61’ CHANCE! Malta 0-1 Spain: And still Spain can't find the second goal! Roberto is again free down the right, he tees up Asensio, and after his left-foot shot is saved by Bonello, Saul's rebound deflects over the bar!
- 73’ GOAL! Malta 0-2 Spain: That secures the three points for Spain as Morata rises at the far post to meet Jesus Navas' cross and head in the second! He was left unmarked and now he is hunting the match ball. It was the perfect ball in from Navas and this is turning into a very pleasing night for the maligned striker.
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