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Spain national football team
European Championship | Qualifiers
Nov 15, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Belarus national football team

3-0

Isco (18'), Busquets (19'), Pedro (55')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Spain see off Belarus to keep up the pressure on Slovakia

Isco, Sergio Busquets and Pedro are on target as Spain sweep Belarus aside to increase the pressure on Group C leaders Slovakia in Euro 2016 qualification.

Spain defeated Belarus 3-0 in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Huelva to make it three wins out of four and keep up the pressure on Group C leaders Slovakia.

The hosts started in commanding fashion and almost took the lead with seven minutes on the clock when Santi Cazorla picked out Pedro in a good position and the Barcelona winger curled a low shot inches wide.

Spain's midfielder Sergio Busquets (2L) celebrates after scoring against Belraus during the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying football match against Belarus on November 15, 2014© Getty Images

Belarus looked content to park the bus and absorb the pressure, but almost came undone in the 17th minute when Juanfran's cross found the head of Paco Alcacer, whose effort ended up in the arms of a relieved Yuri Zhevnov.

Spain's breakthrough goal 60 second later courtesy of Isco, who gained possession outside of the box and found the top corner with a masterful curler.

Belarus looked rattled and they conceded again straight from the restart, with Sergio Busquets capitalising on a defensive lapse to rifle a shot into the bottom corner and put his team in the driving seat.

The Spaniards almost found their third 10 minutes into the second period when Alcacer's header from Pedro's cross clipped the crossbar on its way behind, but they landed the killer blow moments later.

Juanfran reclaimed possession and sent the ball back into the area, where Pedro was on hand to curl a shot into the top corner and put his side out of sight.

Belarus, who failed to register a shot on target all evening, were beaten convincingly, and it would have been even worse for them had Pedro's last-minute strike hit the back of the net, rather than the woodwork.

The result leaves Spain in second place in Group C, three points behind Slovakia, who are the only team in the pool with a 100% record.

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Written by
Mark Langshaw
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Paco Alcacer celebrates with David Silva after scoring Spain's 2nd goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group C Qualifier between Spain and FYR of Macedonia at Estadio Ciutat de Valencia on September 8, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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