Spain fall to Slovakia

Spain failed to produce a victory in their second UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier, losing 2-1 to Slovakia.

The side managed by Vicente del Bosque, as is customary, controlled possession in the first half. However, the Slovakians came flying out of the blocks and unsettled Spain with their intensity. A neat effort from Róbert Mak after eleven minutes, which was seen off by Iker Casillas, was the first warning shot from the home side, who managed to take the lead when the clock read 17 with a Juraj Kucka free-kick. The Spanish team could have equalised when a double chance fell to Diego Costa and Sergio Busquets, but Matúš Kozáčik was up to the task on both occasions.

Spain continued their search for a way through after the break, although Del Bosque’s men never looked comfortable on the pitch. The arrival of Paco Alcácer breathed new life into Spain, and the Valencia CF striker made it 1-1 in the 82nd minutes. However, Slovakia brushed themselves off and took the victory with a goal from Miroslav Stoch with three minutes left to play.