[monks data]

European Under-21s Championship | Group Stage

Jun 17, 2017 at 7.45pm UK

Spain U21s Spain Under-21s
5-0
North Macedonia U21s North Macedonia Under-21s

Niguez (10'), Asensio (16', 54', 72'), Deulofeu (35' pen.)

FT(HT: 3-0)

Albert Celades: 'Spain Under-21s blessed to have Marco Asensio'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 18 June 2017

Spain Under-21s boss Albert Celades hails Marco Asensio after the Real Madrid attacker scored a hat-trick in Saturday's 5-0 win over Macedonia Under-21s.

Spain Under-21s boss Albert Celades has paid tribute to Marco Asensio after the Real Madrid attacker netted a hat-trick in his country's 5-0 win over Macedonia Under-21s in the 2017 Under-21 European Championships on Saturday night.

Asensio, who netted in the Champions League final earlier this month, was joined by Saul Niguez and Gerard Deulofeu on the scoresheet as Spain's Under-21 outfit opened their Group B campaign in style.

Celades has said that Spain are "blessed" to have Asensio as they look to win the European Under-21 championships for a fifth time.

"Congratulations to Marco for his hat-trick and his effort and the commitment with which he played," Celades told reporters.

"He is an example to all of us as a player who's come from the senior national team, and from the Champions League, and who's played with the motivation he has shown. We're blessed to have a lad with his quality, as a footballer and a person."

Next up for Spain Under-21s is a clash with Portugal Under-21s on Tuesday.