Wales no match for Spain’s second string

Wales were no match for Spain's second string, who cruised to a 4-1 win in their international friendly on Thursday.

See how the match unfolded in Cardiff with our liveblog!

Paco Alcacer scored his first Spain goals for over two years as Luis Enrique's side were once more rampant, going 3-0 up in less than half an hour.

With no Dani Carvajal, Jordi Alba, Isco or Diego Costa in La Roja's squad and both Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta long gone, several peripheral figures were given run-outs at the Principality Stadium.

Consequently, Cesar Azpilicueta came in at right-back, with Jose Gaya staying on the left, and Raul Albiol partnered Sergio Ramos in central defence, while Alcacer and Suso flanked lone striker Alvaro Morata.

Wales, for their part, were without talisman Gareth Bale, who was out with muscle fatigue, so Arsenal mdifielder Aaron Ramsey was pushed into attack.

Spain were unbeaten in four of their five previous meetings with Wales, although they lost 3-0 the last time they faced the Euro 2016 semi-finalists, back in April 1985.

Spain put six past Croatia in their last game, and they picked up from where they left off in the Welsh capital.

Alcacer drove a shot into Wayne Hennessey’s top-left corner just eight minutes in, before an unmarked Sergio Ramos headed a corner across the goalkeeper.

The clock read only 29 minutes when the Borussia Dortmund striker, on loan from Barcelona, took his tally to eight goals in little over 100 minutes of football, volleying a first-time finish past Hennessey.

Wales did hit the post through Ethan Ampadu’s header from a deep corner, although Suso struck the woodwork with a left-footed curler.

A much-changed Spain, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jonny Castro, Koke, Rodrigo Moreno and Iago Aspas all on, saw them take a 4-0 lead through fellow substitute Marc Bartra’s header.

Wales did pull a goal back through Sam Vokes, but by then it was a case of far too little too late.

Wales 1-4 Spain

Vokes 89 (W) Alcacer 8, 29, Ramos 19, Bartra 74 (S)

Wales: Hennessey; Gunter, Davies (Richards 62), Williams (Chester 46), Roberts, John (Lawrence 62), Allen (Smith 62), Ampadu (King 50), Wilson (Brooks 46), Ramsey, Vokes

Spain: De Gea (Kepa 46); Azpilicueta (Jonny 63), Ramos (Bartra 46), Albiol, Gaya; Saul (Koke 46), Rodri, Ceballos; Suso (Rodrigo 81), Morata, Alcacer (Aspas 73)

Referee: Taylor (ENG)

Tags Spain Wales
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