Four-goal Rodrigo in La Rojita stroll

Rodrigo was on the mark four times to put Spain Under-21’s within touching distance of a European Championship finals place next year.

Julen Lopetegui’s men thrashed Denmark 5-0 in their first-leg play-off in Burgos to turn Tuesday’s second leg in Aalborg into what should be a formality.

Benfica’s Rodrigo got La Rojita off to a flier with a hat-trick between the 16th and 21st minutes. First he took advantage of a Tello’s cross to volley home before Isco produced a touch of genius to set him up for the second.

Rodrigo completed his treble when a sharp turn in the box saw him fire high past goalkeeper Frederik Ronnow, while he got a fourth on 66 minutes after a left-wing cross from Iker Muniain.

Isco finished off the rout 11 minutes from time, winning and converting a penalty to set the Spanish youngsters on the road to Israel, where they will be defending the title won in Denmark in 2011.