U-21s: Spain steamroller Croatia

Spain concluded the group stage of qualification to the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championships with a resounding win over Croatia.

Going into the final match of Group 5, La Rojita were already assured top spot in the group, after last week’s draw in Sion against Switzerland.

Subsequently, new Coach Julen Lopetegui took the opportunity to try out other members of his squad, handing starts to the likes of Diego Marino, Nacho Fernandez, Jordi Amat, Sergi Roberto, Asier Illarramendi and Alvaro Vazquez.

The youngsters raced into an early advantage, with first-half strikes from Pablo Sarabia, Gerard Deulofeu and Vazquez putting the side in an imperious position in Alicante, before even a quarter of the game had been played.

Deulofeu’s contribution in particular was of note, for displacing two defenders with a turn of direction in running into the area for his goal and for another long run and clever pass to assist Vazquez for his strike.

Isco and Martin Montoya then got in on the act before the break, before Vazquez added a personal second and the team’s sixth of the night to cap the performance.

Spain 6-0 Croatia

Scorers: Sarabia 3 (S), Deulofeu 10 (S), Vazquez 17, 81 (S), Isco 34 (S), Montoya 38 (S)

Spain: Marino, Montoya (Bartra 66), Nacho, Amat, Planas, Illarramendi, Sergi Roberto, Isco (Rodrigo 71), Deulofeu (Tello 66), Sarabia, Alvaro Vazquez

Croatia: Sluga, Vrsaljko, Bubnjic, Ticinovic, Zuparic, Saric, Paurevic (Leskovic 70), Situm (Galovic 42), Rebic (Budimir 46), Kramaric, Culina

Ref: Gozubuyuk (NED)

Tags 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship La Rojita Spain Under-21s
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