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On-fire Spain hit back from conceding a shock opener to complete a 5-1 friendly rout of an outclassed Northern Ireland side in their final Euro 2024 warm-up match in Palma.
There were only 66 seconds on the clock when Daniel Ballard rose to loop a header into the net to stun a sweltering Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, but Luis de la Fuente’s fast-moving side recovered quickly from shipping the first goal as Pedri equalised on 12 minutes with a lovely long-range strike.
Alvaro Morata headed Spain 2-1 in front on 18 minutes, with Barcelona midfielder Pedri then finishing off a slick passing move for his second on 29 minutes before Fabian Ruiz converted the fourth six minutes later.
Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal added a fifth on the hour to give the scoreline a truer reflection of the gulf in class between the sides amid the usual rash of second-half substitutions.
It completed an impressive night for the three-time European champions, who begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Croatia in Group B in Berlin on Saturday afternoon in a section that also contains defending champions Italy and Albania.
Talking Point: Spain not the finished article in defence
The home side were exceptional going forward, but they have not mastered the art of defence with Northern Ireland scoring with a free header in the opening seconds and Isaac Price knocking the ball over in the closing moments of the first half before bringing out a fine save from Unai Simon in the second period. A better side would have punished such slackness.
Despite Spain’s obvious superior quality in piecing together passes for fun, there is a weakness in defence that will not have been lost on Croatia before they meet in Berlin in Saturday’s Euro 2024 opener in Group B.
Player of the Match: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
The 16-year-old Barcelona winger provided two assists for Ruiz and Oyarzabal to put a gloss on the scoreline before revelling in a standing ovation after being replaced by Joselu in the second half. Illuminated the contest with his natural pace and skills, and looks like he could be a key talent at the Euro 2024 finals.
Player Ratings
Spain: Unai Simon 6, Jesus Navas 7, Nacho 7, Robin Le Normand 7, Marc Cucurella 7, Pedri 8, Rodri 7, Fabian Ruiz 7, Lamine Yamal 8, Alvaro Morata 7, Nico Williams 8 Subs: Dani Carvajal 6, Mikel Merino 6, Joselu 6, Alex Grimaldo 6, Aymeric Laporte 6, Mikel Oyarzabal 7
Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell 7, Jamal Lewis 6, Eoin Toal 6, Jonny Evans 7, Daniel Ballard 7, Trai Hume 6, Conor Bradley 6, Caolan Boyd-Munce 6, Shea Charles 6, Isaac Price 6, Jamie Reid 6 Subs: Conor McMenamin 6, Dale Taylor 6, Corry Evans 6, Jordan Thompson 6, Ross McCausland 6, Brodie Spencer 6
Match Highlights
2′ GOAL! SPAIN 0-1 NORTHERN IRELAND (BALLARD) Would you believe this! 66 seconds on the clock and Danny Ballard rises to loop a header beyond Simon and into the net. Spain nowhere to be seen from the free-kick as Boyd-Munce floated in the ball from way out wide. Dreadful defending, it must be said. 1-0 to the visitors.
12′ GOAL! (PEDRI) SPAIN 1-1 NORTHERN IRELAND And just like that, the home side are level as Pedri smashes a low shot into the corner of the net from distance. An excellent finish. And the first real attack of the night brings the leveller for the home team. A first goal for Spain for Pedri.
18′ GOAL! (MORATA) SPAIN 2-1 NORTHERN IRELAND And suddenly Spain are firmly in control. Cracking little cross by Jesus Navas. Right on the money and Morata rises unmarked to direct the ball into the corner of the net with the header. It is a 2-1 to Spain, who are right in the mood now.
30′ GOAL! (PEDRI) SPAIN 3-1 NORTHERN IRELAND And that is surely game, set and match as Williams beats the offside trap to cross for Pedri to slam the third into the net. What a superb goal. Northern Ireland just can’t cope with such quick ball. 21-year-old Pedri looks a future star ahead of the Euros.
34′ GOAL! (FABIAN RUIZ) SPAIN 4-1 NORTHERN IRELAND And the visiting fans look fed up as Yamal throws over a delicious cross to pick out Fabián Ruiz on the run, and he diverts the ball into the net. So, so easy. Lovely finish. It is suddenly 4-1 to Spain.
60′ GOAL! (OYARZABAL) SPAIN 5-1 NORTHERN IRELAND Oyarzabal punishes some more bad defending by the visitors as he knocks the ball into the net from the Yamal cutback. Poor defending really in failing to clear and it is 5-1 to Spain.
