EURO 2016 WARM UP
Spain vs South Korea final score, result, match report and MBM
Find out how Spain did in the run-up to the defence of their Euro crown: result, match report, minute-by-minute and how it happened: Spain 6 - 1 South Korea. Real Madrid vs Barcelona: El Clásico
Match Report
Baffling would be the only word to describe choosing a match in Salzburg against Korea with an afternoon kick-off and an empty stadium to warm up for Euro 2016 when La Roja could have filled any stadium in Iberia.
The team took to the task at hand, however, and went about dismantling an unsubtantial South Korean challenge. It took half-an-hour for David Silva to open the scoring with a spectacular free-kick that bent over the wall, clipped the crossbar and tested the net's moorings.
That classy moment opened the gates and Spain ran out 6-1 eventual winners, with two for Nolito, two for Morata, and Cesc also profiting from some shaky goalkeeping.
Nolito has once again made a strong case for first-team selection and Bruno Soriano also put in a solid performance. Casillas was chosen between the sticks, keeping Spain's sheet unsullied until Sevilla's Sergio Rico relieved him in the 75th minute.
While La Roja were on song today, tougher challenges are yet to come.
How it Happened
Min 90: That's all folks, Spain 6 - 1 Korea.
Min 89: Gooooooollll.... Oh dear, another error from keeper Sungryong allows Morata to bucket his second.. Good finish from an obtuse angle that makes it 6-1.
Min 85: With 5 mins to go, it's all Korea, a little injury scare as Marc Bartra pulls up holding his hamstring.. He carries on, looks like he'll be ok.
Min 83: Gooooooooooooooollllll.. Ju Sejong gets a souvenir for Korea, fully deserved, a nicely worked goal, driven home, a little flick off Bruno gave Rico no chance in goal.
Min 80: Spain 5 - 0 Korea
Min 77: Jordi Alba hares up the left at top speed but he won't reach that pass.. First piece of work for Sergio Rico at the other end but a free-kick is headed across goal and out of reach of anyone in Korean colours.
Min 75: Iker Casillas is called to shore but it's not David De Gea called on but Sevilla's 22 year-old stopper Sergio Rico.
Min 71: Aduriz has his first opportunity at the other end but skies a left-footer on the half-volley.
Min 69: Korea enjoy some time on the ball as Spain take their foot off the accelerator, but again Korea just don't have enough to hurt the Spaniards, Ju Sejong draws a fairly routine save from Casillas, then he has to get down to a better one to preserve that clean sheet.
Min 66: Uyyy... Korea come as close as they've come with a whipped shot that has Casillas flailing, but it bends the wrong side of the post for the Koreans.
Min 63: Spain essentially playing with 3 at the back now, Bruno Soriano, who's had a solid game, dropping back at any sign of danger, there has been talk of Bruno and Busquets playing together, Marcos Senna approves of that idea.
Min 59: Athletic Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz strides on for Gerard Piqué, Son also given a rest along with Lee and han, Ju is on with Kwak and Ju Sejong.
Min 57: That's 4 goals in 2 games for Nolito. Knock knock knock.
Min 54: Great work from Bellerin on the right as he chased it down and refused to give it up, more suspect defending from Korea as the Arsenal man hooked it back from the byline and Nolito made no mistake from 9 yards.
Min 54: Nolitoooooooooooooooooo.... 5-0
Min 53: Uli Stielike not looking best pleased as Bellerin slides in with a heavy challenge, replay shows he got the ball.
Min 50: Gooooooooooooooooooollll...... Morata heads in the fourth from Thiago's corner, timing his jump perfectly, but plenty of question marks over the Korean defending.
Min 49: Swansea's Ki has a good go at Busquets knee, ouch.
Min 46: The second half is underway and Spain have the ball in the net already from a free-kick, but it's ruled offside as Korea step out as a unit.
The teams are back out, a number of changes about to be made.. A whole host of Barça men about to come on, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, ex-Barça Pedro sporting face mask is on too..
Half-time Musings and Mutterings
Spain winning at a canter here, but if there is a story it's Manuel Agudo Durán: Nolito. His quality and intensity have been remarkable in an unremarkable friendly played in a near-empty stadium at 4.30pm in Austria.
You couldn't really blame these players for being a bit baffled at the organisation and lacking the will after such a long season, but Nolito is out to earn his place in the starting XI in France and perhaps a move back to his beloved Barcelona from Celta Vigo.
David Silva scored a cracker of a free-kick and there have been some nice moves involving Iniesta-Bellerin-Morata-Silva-Nolito. Del Bosque will have a chance to make some changes and get a look at some more players in the squad in the second half... Back soon..
Min 46: Half-Time - Spain 3 - 0 Korea
Min 44: A period of possession for Korea who work it into a dangerous position, but just don't have that final moment of quality to make it count.
Min 39: Precision from Silva as he plays a spinning scything outside of the right footer down the line, Nolito turns the Korean defender's skin inside out and nutmegs the keeper.. Brilliant. 3-0.
Min 39: And right on cue.. GOOOOoooooooooooooooooolllazo Nolito!
Min 36: Nolito again with a babysoft touch, terrifies the South Korean backline and finds David Silva in space, but he's crowded out. Nolito playing like someone with something to prove, he's making a strong case for inclusion...
Min 33: GOOOoooooooollll.... Not such a great golazo as Jung Songryong bumbles and fumbles and Fabregas taps it home. 2 - 0.
Min 30: David Silva warps a free kick left-footed right in the top corner, clipping the crossbar. Dead-ball perfection.
Min 30: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLAAAAAAAAZO!!
Min 28: Brilliant play from Spain ends in Bellerin coming so close to putting Spain ahead, the palms of Sungryong denying the Arsenal man..
Min 26: Still 0-0...
Min 23: The Spanish commentators trying to pronounce Korean names is worth watching this game alone..
Min 19: Nice touch from Ji Dongwon, only to have his legs swept by a narky looking Pique, the free is a chance for Korea but is headed away from goal rather than towards it by the Korean player. Good clearance..
Min 16: Ohhhh Nolito, glorious piece of control, Morata finishes brilliantly into the top corner and turns to celebrate but stops on realizing the linesman's flag is up. Spain knocking on the door.
Min13: Spain dominating here, Nolito looks keen to continue his good form in the Spanish Roja, Iniesta buzzing about menacingly too..
Min 10: Morata claims a penalty from keeper Jung Sungryong, the Korean laughs and shakes his head, but it was a risky challenge from behind. The referee didn't see it as penalty-worthy.
Min 7: Tottenham's favourite Son is playing for Korea, and has a chance to put his side one up, but shanks a left-footer from a good position inside the box.
Min 4: Early chance for Spain, closed up by Korea. Piqué solid in the defence already, he comes into this in good form after a stellar performance in the Copa del Rey final.
Min 2: The Spanish commentator is highly indignant that there are empty seats in the stadium, "Spain could be playing to a full-house with more atmosphere in Spain", why are they playing in Austria? Why are they playing South Korea in Austria? Questions for the FEF..
Min 1: Kick-off!
The teams are ready here in the Red Bull arena, Salzburg, Casillas and Morata start for Spain..
Welcome to our live coverage of the international friendly between Spain and South Korea as the current holders, looking for their third consecutive title, build up their combined match sharpness ahead of Euro 2016 in France. Kick-off is at 16:30 CEST and the action takes place in the Red Bull Arena.
Teams
Spain starting XI: Casillas, Azpilicueta, Piqué, Bartra, Bellerin, Bruno, Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Silva, Nolito, Morata
Korea starting XI: Sung-Ryong, Suk-Young, Yong, Tea-Hwi, Chang-Woo, Woo Young, Kook-Young, Garam, Ui-Jo, Myong-Jyn and Hyun-Jun.
Preview of the international friendly: Spain - South Korea
Spain play their final warm-up match ahead of the Euros against Uli Stielike’s South Korea. Still absent from La Roja due to their permitted rest period after the Champions League final will be Sergio Ramos and Lucas Vásquez from Real Madrid, and Juanfran and Koke from Atlético.
Yesterday saw the announcement of the final 23-man squad from manager Vicente Del Bosque and the depth of riches available meant that some stars were always going to be disappointed. Click here for the details of who made it.
There are further decisions now required to find the right balance for the tactics to be employed in France but one decision that Del Bosque knows will be discussed in the media and by fans is that of who starts in goal. The experienced tournament winner, Casillas, or the currently club-saving, De Gea?
In opponents South Korea they will be facing a team that should give them a sound work out. Their coach Stielike will not excuse players that don’t run until the final whistle. A friendly it may be, but pride is not judged only on silverware.