Spain U21 1-0 Iceland U21 2019 Euros qualifier: goals, as it happened, match report
The Real Betis midfielder scored the only goal of the game in Murcia as La Rojita turned in an uninspiring performance against their Icelandic counterparts.
Spain U21 1-0 Iceland U21: match report
Fabian’s long-range strike secured a narrow victory for Spain Under 21s against their Icelandic counterparts in a turgid match in Murcia.
The victory moves Spain top of Group 2 with three victories from three, as La Rojita look to secure their place at the 2019 European Championship. Spain made it to the final of the 2017 edition of the competition, only to lose out to Germany. Several of the key players from that squad have now moved on, with a lack of cohesion the result.
Borja Mayoral missed two guilt-edged headers in the first half before Real Betis midfielder Fabian took the game by the scruff of the neck after 36 minutes. He received the ball from Dani Ceballos on the edge of the box, took a touch to release the ball from his feet, and hit a vicious shot beyond Sindri Olafsson and in to the corner.
The match followed a hypnotic pattern in the second half. Spain dominated possession and territory, but lacked imagination when faced with a wall of Icelandic defenders.
Spain were almost made to rue their lack of spark in the depths of injury time. Iceland’s captain and talisman, Albert Guðmundsson, caused panic with a teasing free-kick from the left flank.Spain half cleared, but a clumsy challenge by substitute Alfredo Pedraza granted Guðmundsson a second chance to deliver. He found the head of Julius Magnusson, who glanced the ball narrowly side of the far post.
Albert Celades’ side move top of the group, but they will need to be more incisive on Tuesday evening against Slovakia.