Author: Soorya G
Spain – Cyprus – 6:0
Spain secured a resounding 6-0 win over Cyprus in a Euro 2024 Group A qualifier, with Ferran Torres putting in a standout performance by scoring twice. The match also saw the emergence of Lamine Yamal, who became Spain’s youngest starter at 16 years and 61 days. Yamal had made history just a few days earlier, becoming the youngest player and top scorer for the Spanish national team on his debut against Georgia, when Spain won 7-1.
Yamal’s contribution was remarkable, as he played on the right wing and created several chances. One of his attempts, a curling shot, hit the post in the 39th minute, with Alvaro Morata scoring on the rebound. However, the VAR disallowed the goal for offside. Surprisingly, Spain’s goals in the first half were assisted by another young talent, 21-year-old Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao.
Gavi opened the scoring for Spain in the 18th minute, followed by a header from Mikel Merino 15 minutes later, both from crosses by Williams. Goalkeeper Joel Mall denied Williams from close range at the end of the match. Spain’s third goal came from substitute Joselu, who scored with a header in the 70th minute. Ferran Torres, Alex Baena and Torres again increased Spain’s lead with close-range shots.
Italy – Ukraine – 2:1
In another Euro 2024 qualifier, Italy managed to secure a vital 2-1 win over Ukraine, largely due to the efforts of Davide Frattesi. The Inter Milan midfielder, who replaced the injured Sandro Tonali, scored two crucial goals in the first half hour of the match. His well-placed shots put Italy ahead, but Ukraine managed to pull one back with a goal from captain Andriy Yarmolenko just before half-time.
The win moved Italy up to second place in Group C, level on seven points with Ukraine and North Macedonia. Italy’s position is based on the head-to-head record of the three teams, with England topping the group on six points. Italy put in a better performance, dominating possession and creating several chances, a marked contrast to their previous 1-1 draw with North Macedonia.
Belgium – Estonia – 5:0
Meanwhile, veteran Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen’s early goal set the tone for his country’s victory, as the FIFA top-ranked team worked very little against the hapless Estonians. However, the highlight of the match was AS Roma’s new striker Romelu Lukaku, who scored two goals in two minutes, as well as being the scorer of Leandro Trossard’s first-half goal. Vertonghen’s goal was the result of some excellent work by experienced player Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, before Trossard added to the lead. Lukaku’s quick-fire brace was completed by Atalanta’s Charles de Ketalaere, who made it 5-0 with a few minutes to play.
Other scores: Norway 2-1 Gerogia, North Macedonia 2-0 Malta, Sweden 1-3 Austria, Switzerland 3-0 Andorra, Romania 2-0 Kosovo, Israel 1-0 Belarus.