It was very new when Spain restarted after the World Cup disappointment. Luis Enrique got the kick after the championship and was replaced by Luis de la Fuente. The new national team captain appointed none other than Álvaro Morata as the new team captain.
On Saturday evening, it was time for the EC qualifying premiere when they took on Norway – without Erling Braut Haaland, who was forced to throw in the towel as a result of groin pain.
Spain started briskly and it didn’t take long before the lead goal arrived. Left back Alejandro Balde came with a hard pass along the ground that Dani Olmo headed in to make it 1-0.
Norway better in the second half
Then the home team basically lost everything – and Norway took over the match completely. Team captain Martin Ödegaard played until one goal chance after another – but in vain.
They came closest to an equalizing goal in the 43rd minute of the match, but Chelsea’s reviled goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga cleared the ball on the goal line.
In the second half, Norway was the better team – but 1-1 never came. Instead, Spain countered 2-0 and 3-0 through substitute Joselu.
Norway will next face Georgia in the second match of the European Championship qualifiers. Spain is pitted against Scotland.
MORE FROM THE EURO QUALIFYING: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s words after the loss: “We are also disappointed”
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