Football
2016 European Championship Qualifying, Group Stage 2016
ESP 
4
FT
 LUX
0
PA Sport 8y

Santi Cazorla scores two as Spain beat Luxembourg to qualify for Euro 2016

Santi Cazorla and Paco Alcacer scored a brace each as Spain confirmed their qualification for Euro 2016 with a 4-0 win over Luxembourg.

Spain had to survive two first-half injury setbacks, as David Silva hobbled off to be replaced by Juan Mata before Alvaro Morata was stretchered and Alcacer came on.

The Valencia man did not disappoint, scoring twice in the second half, before Cazorla -- who had netted in the first -- rounded up a superb night for the hosts.

Spain were unbeaten in 31 home qualifiers prior to Friday, but could have been left ruing their inability to take their chances.

Morata and Jordi Alba both missed, the latter looping over from close range when scoring seemed easier.

Silva caused plenty of concern for Manchester City fans when he limped off, having initially tried to run off a leg injury.

Cazorla hit the bar on 21 minutes before Spain were forced into another change when Morata was stretchered off, holding his head in despair as he exited.

Luxembourg may have harboured hopes of just about holding out, and were given a boost when Stefano Bensi's shot from a fair distance had Iker Casillas diving to his left.

But La Roja settled their nerves four minutes before the break when Cazorla slotted home a rebound after Luxembourg goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert had saved a Pedro effort.

Things were a bit scrappy at the start of the second half, with Pedro and Kevin Malget shown yellow cards for their part in a minor altercation.

It needed another Chelsea man, in Cesc Fabregas, to clear home heads as he threaded the perfect through ball down the middle for Alcacer, who fired low past the onrushing Joubert.

Ten minutes before the end, Alcacer capped his memorable night from the bench with the easiest of tap-ins after Alba had done well to not give up the ball on the touchline.

Cazorla drilled home five minutes from time and there was still time for Sergio Busquets to fire a late effort wide.

^ Back to Top ^