Spain 3-0 Norway: Joselu nets brace on international debut as Luis de la Fuente era kicks off with victory

Spain cruised to a 3-0 victory over Norway at the Estadio La Rosaleda to kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in Group A.

Spain were comfortable in the game’s early stages, trapping Norway into their own half and controlling the game well. They would be rewarded for their efforts in the 13th minute when Dani Olmo opened the scoring, flicking on a shot from Alex Balde past Orjan Nyland.

La Roja continued to dominate the ball for the majority of the second half but failed to turn their possession into anything. Norway did start to find some joy at the end of the first period with Martin Odegaard seeing more of the ball, but they also couldn’t convert their chances.

Norway started the second half brightly and looked as if they could find and equaliser. Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth were influential in everything Norway were doing going forward but they still lacked that cutting edge in the final third.

New Spain manager Luis de la Fuente made some good choices to allow his side to regain control of the match. De la Fuente introduced Dani Ceballos who provided quality and chance creation in the midfield as well as Mikel Oyarzabal and Yeremy Pino on the wings, allowing Spain to stretch Norway’s block. The most impactful substitution though, was Joselu. The Espanyol striker came on in what was his debut for Spain and scored a quick brace to secure all three points for his side.

Talking point – De la Fuente’s Era Begins

A 3-0 win and a strong showing from his side gives Luis De la Fuente a perfect start to his reign as manager of the Spanish National Team. Eyebrows were raised when the Spanish line-up featured seven changes to the side that lost to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup but De la Fuente’s men got the job done and played some good football while they were at it.

Spain haven’t had success on the International stage since their Euro 2012 win and with the young talent coming through in this team pressure will be on De la Fuente to break the duck and get the best out of this crop of players.

Player of the Match – Alex Balde

One of the most promising young players in this Spain squad is 19 year-old Alex Balde and the left-back showed why today. The youngster from Barcelona was a threat to Norway’s defence whenever he had the ball. Balde used his pace well to get away from defenders and linked well with Gavi to cause problems for Norway. The left-back assisted Spain’s opening goal today and really drove them forward from the left-hand side.

Player Ratings

Spain: Kepa 7, Balde 8, Laporte 7, Nacho 7, Carvajal 7, Merino 6, Rodri 8, Gavi 6, Aspas 6, Olmo 7, Morata 7.

Subs: Ceballos 8, Oyarzabal 7, Pino 6, Fabian 7, Joselu 8,

Norway: Nyland 6, Pedersen 6, Strandberg 5, Ostigard 6, Meling 6, Aursnes 7, Berg 6, Odegaard 6, Elyounoussi 5, Sorloth 6, Berge 6.

Subs: Ryerson 6, Bjorkan 5, Solbakken 5, Larsen 5, Brynhildsen N/A.

Match Highlights

13′ – GOAL FOR SPAIN! OLMO OPENS THE SCORING Alvaro Morata picks out Alejandro Balde on the edge of the box who shifts the ball quickly before shooting into a crowd. Dani Olmo reacts first and is able to flick the ball into the goal.

23′ – SPAIN LOOKING COMFORTABLE The home side have had 79% of possession and have Norway penned into their own half for the majority of the match. Luis De La Fuente will be pleased with his side’s performance so far.

54′ – HUGE CHANCE FOR NORWAY Pedersen cuts in from the right hand side and bends a shot towards the bottom corner. Nacho blocks the shot but the ball is sent towards his own goal, Kepa does well to get the ball off the line.

79′ – SORLOTH CHANCE GOES BEGGING The Norwegian striker had a golden opportunity with a volley from close range but his strike goes well wide.

84′ – GOAL FOR SPAIN The two substitutes Fabian and Joselu combine to double Spain’s lead. Fabian delivered a great ball into the box from the left-wing for Joselu to head home for his first goal for Spain.

85′ – GOAL FOR SPAIN! JOSELU AT THE DOUBLE A dream debut for Joselu here. The striker gets a second goal on his debut reacting well after Mikel Oyarzabal’s shot is parried towards him. Spain 3-0 Norway.