Braces for Rodrigo and Alcácer seal a comfortable victory for Spain

As expected, the Faroe Islands didn’t put up much resistance as Roberto Moreno’s reign as Spain coach saw him make it two wins out of two in Gijon. A Rodrigo Moreno double and a late, quick-fire brace from Alcacer saw ‘La Roja’ emerge as comfortable winners and move one step closer to securing qualification for Euro 2020.

It should come as no surprise to see Spain immediately take the game to their lesser opponents. Moreno made some changes to his side for the second match in a week, leaving the Barça representatives on the bench and handing chances to those looking to take their places for the upcoming tournament. Even then, Spain’s quality was clear to see. But that’s to be expected when the two sides are 99 FIFA World Rankings apart.

Spain’s first goal came within the opening quarter of an hour. Thiago Alcantara refused to give up on the ball outside the Faroe Island’s penalty area, eventually poking it through for Mikel Oyarzabal. The Real Sociedad forward unselfishly squared it across for Rodrigo Moreno to make it 1-0. Just what Spain needed.

The pressure didn’t subside as Spain looked to wrap up the match in the first half. The Faroe Islands kept their shape and looked to frustrate their more illustrious opponents. Thiago almost made it 2-0 with a wonderful volley from the edge of the box but his effort was matched by a fine save. Parejo then found the former La Masia star again and, whilst he beat the keeper to the ball, his header rolled just wide of the post.

The Faroe Islands were being pegged back but still posed a threat on the counter. With the Spanish backline pushing further and further up, any loss of possession meant there were gaps to exploit. Unfortunately, it often took far too long for options to arrive in the box and they were forced to retreat, but Spain had to remain vigilant.

It remained 1-0 as the teams went into the break, but it soon became 2-0 once the match resumed. Thiago, who was at the centre of Spain’s creative hub in midfield, found Rodrigo out on the right wing. He charged into the box, cut back onto his left and curled it beyond the goalkeeper. The shot took a significant deflection off a defender but it didn’t matter, the Valencia striker had his second goal of the game.

Spain continued to pour forward as their opponents got everyone behind the ball, looking to protect their goal difference rather than thinking they had a chance of a comeback. Although a lapse in concentration from Sergio Ramos allowed the Faroe Islands a huge opportunity to pull one back. Thankfully for Ramos, De Gea was equal to it and kept Spain’s advantage at two.

Moreno turned to his bench and one of those made the result beyond doubt. Carvajal played it inside to Thiago and his cut-back was guided into the net by former Barça striker Paco Alcacer in the 89th minute.  The Dortmund man wasn’t done though and grabbed his second, Spain’s fourth, deep into stoppage time. His former teammate at Valencia, Jose Gaya, crossed to the near post and Alcacer’s first-time finish made it four.