City
Epaper

Spain clinch Euro 2020 berth with late draw against Sweden

By IANS | Published: October 16, 2019 1:52 PM

Rodrigo Moreno's goal in stoppage time gave Spain a 1-1 draw against Sweden to assure La Roja of a berth in the 2020 European Championship.

Open in App

The Spaniards lead Group F with 20 points from eight matches, while Sweden are second on 15 points. Romania sit third with 14 points, followed by Norway with 11, reports Efe news.

Spain came into Tuesday's contest at a packed Friends Arena in Stockholm after experiencing their first stumble of the qualifying campaign: a 1-1 draw with Norway in Oslo.

The visitors set the pace from the start and Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen had a busy first half, turning aside a shot by Fabian and denying both Rodri and Gerard Moreno from point blank range.

La Roja enjoyed 71 percent possession and Sweden's first chance didn't come until after the 20-minute mark, when Mikael Lustig forced a stop from David De Gea.

The Swedes began to have more of the ball and De Gea was tested in the 33rd minute by a Robin Quaison header.

Swedish defender Victor Lindelof made a diving block when Fabian threatened for Spain just before the break and the sides went to the dressing rooms deadlocked 0-0.

The home side took the lead five minutes after the re-start courtesy of Marcus Berg's first international goal in more than a year.

De Gea stopped Berg's header as well as Emil Forsberg's effort on the rebound, but the ball ended up back with Berg and the keeper was helpless to stop it from going in the net.

The Spain keeper made another notable stop against Forsberg before leaving the match injured with 30 minutes left.

That Forsberg effort proved to be Sweden's last threat of the night, yet Spain struggled to convert their dominance into an equaliser.

La Roja still trailed at the end of regulation time, raising the possibility that they would be held scoreless for the first time in 38 matches.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Rodrigo nudged Fabian's low blast into the net to avoid the loss and guarantee Spain's presence in next summer's tournament.

Sweden can clinch the second spot in Group F with a win over Romania next month in Bucharest.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: SpainEmil ForsbergDavid De GeaswedenBerg
Open in App

Related Stories

Other SportsMadrid Spain Masters 2024: B Sumeeth Reddy and N Sikki Reddy Bow Out in Quarterfinals

Other SportsLa Liga Stars Targeted: Spanish Police Bust Burglary Gang That Hit Footballers' Homes

InternationalRussia-Ukraine War: Vladimir Putin Vows to Deploy Troops Along Finland Border After It Joins NATO

NationalSpanish Woman Allegedly Gang-Raped in Jharkhand, Three Detained

Social ViralMarta Puerto's Creative Resume Presentation Goes Viral After Job Loss

फुटबॉल Realted Stories

FootballSouth United Football Club Blue Cubs League: Diego Juniors FCA, 4 Lions FA, Battleground FA emerge victorious

FootballRFDL promotes opportunities, thought process that is very vital for Indian football: Subrata Pal

FootballFeyenoord manager Arne Slot opens up about links with Liverpool job

FootballManchester United winger Antony reveals reason behind unique goal celebration against Burnely

FootballBengal join pursuit of Sr Women's NFC for Rajmata Jijabai Trophy semifinal spot