Spain Topped Group B After Defeating Kosovo 3-1

Spain national team (Twitter: @SeFutbol)

JAKARTA - Spain successfully won its second victory in the 2022 Group B World Cup Qualification for the European Zone after beating Kosovo 3-1 at the Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja, Thursday morning WIB.

Reported by Antara, Thursday, April 1, Spain controlled 81 percent of the ball and made 19 attempted goals, eight of which led to the goal. In contrast Kosovo has only been on target once out of a total of three trials.

Spain took a 2-0 lead at half-time through Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres before being cut short by Big Halimi's goal.

Gerard Moreno's goal ensured three points for Spain, who simultaneously lead Group B with seven points from three matches or one point ahead of Sweden, who have just played twice in second place. Kosovo is bottom with no points.

Spain got the first chance in the eighth minute through Alvaro Morata, who received a good pass from Jordi Alba in the penalty box, but Samir Ujkani could still push it.

In the 22nd minute, Morata wasted another chance after a close-range shot was suppressed by Ujkani.

Spain finally broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. Starting from Jordi Alba's pass to Olmo, the RB Leipzig midfielder then fired a shot into the top left corner which made Ujkani unable to move.

Two minutes later, Spain doubled the score with a quick counter-attack which was ended by Ferran Torres on the right. His shot at the far post could not be blocked by Ujkani. Score 2-0 for Spain.

Spain stepped on the gas from the start of the second half. One opportunity was obtained by Torres in the 52nd minute after receiving Morata's attractive pass, but Ujkani was still able to brush it off.

Distracted by continuing to attack, Spain came close to conceding in the 61st minute when an error at the back sent Lirim Kastrati past Eric Garcia.

Kastrati in front of goal immediately fired a shot, but Sergio Busquets cleared the ball before it was pushed over by Unai Simon.

Kosovo finally cut the score to 1-2 in the 70th minute following Unai Simon's blunder who tried to block the ball by advancing too far from the goal even though the situation was not dangerous.

Four minutes later, Spain recovered a two-goal lead when substitute Gerard Moreno's header found Ujkani's net after using a corner to make it 3-1.

Line-up of players

Spain 4-3-3: Unai Simon; Marcos Llorente, Inigo Martinez, Eric Garcia (Sergio Ramos 86 '), Jordi Alba; Pedri (Fabian Ruiz 68 '), Sergio Busquets (Rodri 82'), Koke; Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata (Gerard Moreno 68 '), Dani Olmo (Sergio Canales 82').

Kosovo 3-4-1-2: Samir Ujkani; Mergim Vojvoda, Ibrahim Dresevic, Fidan Aliti; Florent Hadergjonaj, Besar Halimi (Idriz Voca 82 '), Hekuran Kryeziu, Benjamin Kololli (Arber Zeneli 55'); Bersant Celina; Milot Rashica (Lirim Kastrati 55 '), Vedat Muriqi.