The Spanish soccer team liked it and took advantage of its last friendly before Euro 2024 in a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland this Saturday at the Mallorca Son Moix in Palma, despite conceding the 0-1 score after two minutes, with a double from Pedri, his first goals for Spain, and a notable performance to go to Germany motivated.
Luis de la Fuente did his last test before the continental debut against Croatia in a week, within a Group B that will not allow mistakes with Italy and Albania also dangerous. Spain left behind a chaotic start with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of punch, with a more recognizable eleven and a much more relaxed second half.
If there was any danger of not taking the match 100%, the Northern Irish goal after two minutes forced Spain to get its act together. And the start was quite ugly for the Nations League champion, with a central corridor for Ballard’s 0-1.
Spain shows its punch before the Euro Cup – Photo: Cati Cladera
De la Fuente seemed incredulous on the sideline watching his team lose balls behind and give chances to an opponent with enough speed to punish. Le Normand saw yellow after five minutes and Unai Simón also seemed to miss an aerial ball, which fell to Price and could have made it 0-2 after a loss by Fabián.
Spain’s reaction had the same roar, of not being ready to hit everything in the blink of an eye, as the great teams do. Pedri had not touched the ball, with some haste ‘La Roja’ in search of the rival goal, but the first time he caught the ball between the lines he sent it into the net.
The Canarian, repeating in the eleven after the duel against Andorra like Álvaro Morata above, was the protagonist of the first half, taking advantage of the filming to confirm his return. After 1-1, De la Fuente’s team did not stop, leaning the field on wings with Nico Williams and Jesús Navas. The one from Sevilla seemed to ‘remove’ Lamine Yamal’s prominence, but they both understood each other.
Spain shows its punch before the Euro Cup – Photo: CATI CLADERA
Morata took advantage of that harmony between the youngster and the veteran in the header to make it 2-1. The Atlético de Madrid striker ended his bad streak with Spain and was able to increase his income, but the one who scored a double was Pedri, in the umpteenth ride by Nico Williams. Northern Ireland signed their surrender too early and the hosts continued to grow to take advantage of the final try.
In another well-moved play, Yamal put it in the hot zone and, again adding a lot of troops from the second line, this time it was Fabian who sent it to the net (4-1). Spain already earned the notable stop at half-time and did not force itself in search of the outstanding, although more goals could have been dropped. De la Fuente brought in Dani Carvajal and Grimaldo after the break and continued looking for his ideal team.
Once again Nico Williams was close to the goal and the one who put his hand in was Mikel Oyarzabal. The Real Sociedad player, scorer of three goals against Andorra, is perhaps the one who is making De la Fuente doubt the most, because having just entered Son Moix he showed that he is plugged in (5-1). Spain played and played and there was hardly any more game.
Unai Simón relied on a bad clearance but in the final stretch he saved Northern Ireland’s only chance, from Price. Joselu, the last replacement, was close to sixth, but Spain had already approved his set-up. A bad start and a reaction with a goal and personality, with Rodrigo as a beacon in the center, Pedri recovered for the cause and hungry alternatives in defense and attack.
