Denmark 1-2 Spain: Reigning European champions safe high spot in UEFA Nations League group – Eurosport

Spain secured high spot in Group A4 of the UEFA Nations League with a 1-0 win in opposition to Denmark in Copenhagen.

Objectives from captain Mikel Oyarzabal and Ayoze Perez set them on their method, earlier than Gustav Isaksen pulled one again and arrange a nervy final 5 minutes.

The hosts, backed by a terrific residence crowd at Parken, acquired off to a great begin but it surely wasn’t lengthy earlier than the European champions discovered their groove.

They’d already hit the crossbar when Oyarzabal punished some poor defending with a neat end with quarter-hour on the clock. Dani Olmo and Perez had good probabilities to double their lead earlier than the break.

Within the second half, it was Olmo and Perez once more who mixed to make it 2-0, and Perez might have wrapped issues up earlier than Isaksen pounced on a dodgy again cross and gave the Danes hope.

Spain noticed out the match and head into their last Nations League group fixture at residence to Switzerland with the laborious work finished – and it is perhaps an opportunity for Luis de la Fuente to relaxation gamers in a squad that has been decimated by current accidents, together with the season-ending ACL problem to Rodri.

For Denmark, there’s nonetheless work to do to safe a spot within the quarter-finals of the Nations League. A draw within the different group match between Switzerland and Serbia means it’s in their very own arms, however they are going to be smarting having had their 29-month unbeaten residence document ended.

Spain went into this recreation with the type of champions. And that’s precisely what they’re. Reigning Nations League holders and topped European Champions this summer season, De la Fuente’s males haven’t misplaced any of their final 15 matches.

Tonight they went into the sport lacking Pau Torres, Unai Simon, Dani Carvajal, Rodri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal. And so they didn’t begin Nico Williams, Alvaro Morata or Pedri. However they weren’t missed.

As a substitute they had been in a position to rely on the mastery of Olmo in midfield and the menacing risk of Perez up entrance.

With the group gained La Roja can now calm down of their last group recreation in opposition to Switzerland earlier than heading into the knock-out stage of the competitors. Who would need to play them? And who stands an opportunity of beating them?

The Barcelona midfielder is carrying on his imperious Barcelona type for his nation. He was on the centre of the whole lot, pulling the strings and establishing probabilities with silky aplomb. His cross via to Perez for the second objective was world class. Was unfortunate to not cap efficiency with a objective.

Denmark: Schmeichel 6, Kristian 6, Vestergaard 6, Andersen 6, Bah 6; Hjulmand 6, Noorgard 6, Hojbjerg 7; Eriksen 7, Hojlund 6, Gronbaek 6. Subs: Damsgaard 6, Isaksen 8, Dolberg 6, Slov Olsen 7.

Spain: Raya 6, Porro 6, Vivian 6, Laporte 6, Cucurella 6, Zubimendi 7, Merino 7, Oyarzabal 8, Olmo 9, Baena 8, Perez 8. Subs: Ruiz 6, Morata 6, Williams 6, Casado 6. Pedri 6.

13’ – OFF THE WOODWORK!: Spain so near taking the lead. Porro with a defence splitting cross and Perez with a thunderous shot that whacks the crossbar. Spain beginning to develop.

15’ – GOAL! Denmark 0-1 Spain 0 (Oyarzabal): The Danes give the ball away and it is punished by some incisive passing within the space from Perez and a neat end by the captain on the sting of the six yard field.

58’ – GOAL! Denmark 0-2 Spain (Perez): The Olmo and Perez present has doubled their lead. Olmo threads the ball via to Perez who beats Schmeichel with a composed low end from simply contained in the field.

79’ – ISAKSEN HITS THE POST!: It is a fantastic effort from Isaksen, who places his foot via a strike on the nook of the world that hits the bottom of Raya’s objective and flies again out.

84’ – GOAL! Denmark 1-2 Spain (Isaksen): Out of nowhere the Danes pull one again. A again cross goes incorrect and the spectacular Isaksen is there to take benefit and faucets residence.