Santi Cazorla scores for Spain for first time in four years

The Villarreal player was on target for "La Roja" in Cadiz as they faced Malta in a Euro 2020 Group F qualifier.

Angel Martinez

Irish native who switched from the music industry to the world of sport moving from Universal Music to AS in 2017. A keen runner, soccer player and now discovering the world's fastest growing sport of padel. A fútbol fanatic covering LaLiga, MLS, Liga MX and other offbeat stories from the global game. Can always be found rooting for the underdog.

Update: Nov 15th, 2019 16:24 EST

Back in 2016, then playing for Arsenal, Santi Cazorla was told by doctors that his playing days were numbered following a tendon problem in his right foot.

Return to glory

Solid displays in the yellow shirt weren't unnoticed and the 34-year-old was recalled for international action with his cap for Spain against the Faro Islands on June 7 (2019) his first game in the Spain shirt since November 2015, a gap of 1302 days. On that November 11th night, Cazorla was on target as "La Roja" overcame England 2-0 in Alicante in an international friendly fixture.

Santi Cazorla scores for Spain for first time in four years — Spain v MaltaMIGUEL MORENATTI

There was an outpouring of joy from the creative midfielder in Cadiz as he bagged his first international goal in four years and two days. Cazorla was on target in the 41st minute helping Spain double their advantage over Malta as part of a 7-0 demolition and the Asturian will be hoping to make a claim for a place on the plane as Spain with Roberto Moreno's side already assured of a place at Euro 2020.