Ajit Karn
In the opening round of Euro 2024 qualifiers on Saturday, Spain defeated a Norway team without the injured Erling Haaland by a score of 3-0, while Wales scored an injury-time equalizer to frustrate Croatia. Dani Olmo converted Alejandro Balde’s driven low cross in the 13th minute at Malaga, and Joselu scored twice in his Spain debut to give new coach Luis de la Fuente a win in his first match in command. On his first appearance for Spain since October 2020, the Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made a superb reflex save to deny Fredrik Aursnes and cleared another attempt off the goal line in his debut for Spain.
Then, Alexander Sorloth missed the target with a volley before Espanyol forward Joselu came off the bench and scored a quick-fire brace by heading in his first goal and tapping in the rebound for his second.
“I still can’t believe it,” said the 32-year-old Joselu, who became the first Spain player since Fernando Morientes in 1998 to score twice on his international debut.
“This is the greatest thing that can happen to any athlete. It is the recompense for daily effort.”
Three-time European champions Spain will next face Scotland, who defeated Cyprus 3-0 in their Group A opener at Hampden Park thanks to two goals from substitute Scott McTominay.
Nicholas Ioannou was dismissed for a second yellow card in extra time, leaving Cyprus with 10 men.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke stated, “It’s a fantastic start, but we’ll have to try to build on it against Spain on Tuesday.”
Norway have not participated in a significant tournament since Euro 2000. Manchester City striker Haaland will miss Norway’s journey to Georgia next week due to a groin injury.
– An improbable Welsh hero –
Former World Cup finalists and semifinalists Croatia conceded a late equalizer in the opening match of Group D, as Wales rookie Nathan Broadhead touched in a flick-on from a long throw.
Broadhead, who plays for Ipswich in the third division, told S4C, “I got a little emotional, a little overwhelmed.” “I have awaited this moment for so long.
“We needed a point; we came to try to win, but a point is acceptable as well.”
Andrej Kramaric’s low strike from just outside the area gave Croatia the lead in Split against a Wales team adjusting to life without Gareth Bale, their all-time leading scorer and captain.
Luka Modric earned his 163rd international cap for Croatia, who have never lost a home European Championship qualifier in the 36 years since 1994.
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Turkey overcame an early own goal by former Liverpool defender Ozan Kabak to defeat Armenia 2-1 in Yerevan. Goals from Orkun Kokcu and Kerem Akturkoglu overcame an early own goal by Ozan Kabak.
Renato Steffen scored a hat trick in the first half as Switzerland defeated Belarus 5-0 behind closed doors in Serbia.
Due to Belarus’s support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, UEFA has banned the country from hosting matches.
Granit Xhaka and Zeki Amdouni scored in the second half to propel Switzerland to the summit of Group I. This was Amdouni’s second international appearance.
