While you were asleep: Spain beat Norway, Croatia held Wales, Pickford feels England’s past disappointments are spurring them on
Spain beat Norway 3-0
Substitute Joselu stuck a brace on his debut to help Spain beat Norway 3-0 in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier in group A on Saturday at the La Rosaleda Stadium in Spain.
The hosts took an early lead courtesy of Dani Olmo. However, not until late in the game when New Castle’s striker made an appearance from the bench and struck the brace the nerves were settled as the lead was slender till that point.
“I have to thank (the coach) for the faith he’s shown in me in his first match in charge. I tried to give my all to reward him,” Joselu said.
🏁 ¡¡FINAL, FINAL, FINAAAAL EN MÁLAGAAAAA!!
🇪🇸 🆚 🇳🇴 | 3-0 | 90+4’#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Xdx7srvyOw
— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) March 25, 2023
“Right now I feel like an 18-year-old kid again. I don’t think age matters – and this is an incredible day to prove that.” This is the first game for Spain under the new manager De la Fuente.
Nathan Broadhead’s injury team goal help Wales salvage a draw
Wales’ Nathan Broadhead injury time goal against Croatia helped them to pull off a late draw in their Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday at the Pojlud in Croatia.
Croatia took the lead midway through the first half with the help of Andrej Kramanic. The Croatians kept the lead until the substitute’s dream debut goal.
The final whle in Split: #Croatia narrowly missing out on a victory in closing seconds. 🇭🇷🏴#CROWAL #Family #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/Xd3ZHDft3H
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) March 25, 2023
“I am quite emotional. Overwhelmed,’ admitted 24-year-old Broadhead. “I have waited for this for a long time, and I scored”
“It gives us confidence going into the next game against Latvia on Tuesday. Hopefully, we should get three points,” he added.
Also in Group D, Turkey recovered from conceding an early own goal to beat Armenia 2-1.
England will face Ukraine in their second qualifier for Euro 2024
England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said that if England wants to be the winning team they have to suffer.
speaking ahead of England’s qualifier against Ukraine Pickford said, “If you want to be winners, you’ve got to suffer.”
He recalled an incident during England’s game against Italy when left-back Luke Shaw was out of position however, striker Harry Kane ran all the way back to the position and defend. “To see that from the captain, from the centre-forward, doing that just shows what kind of character he is — but also what kind of characters we have in the squad,” he said.
He also added, “It’s that team togetherness, that hard-working squad mentality, which we showed on Thursday. We need to continue that to become winners.”
England beat Italy 2-1 in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier.
