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Spain national football team
European Championship | Qualifiers
Oct 9, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Luxembourg national football team

4-0

Cazorla (42', 85'), Alcacer (67', 80')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Player Ratings: Spain 4-0 Luxembourg

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed during Spain's 4-0 win over Luxembourg in their Group C qualifier for Euro 2016.

Spain booked their spot at Euro 2016 with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Luxembourg on Friday evening.

The result also secured first position in Group C for Vicente del Bosque's side, with Slovakia losing 1-0 against Belarus.

Santi Cazorla and Paco Alcacer both scored braces for La Roja on the night against a Luxembourg team that conceded three times in the final 23 minutes.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed.


Spain's Paco Alcacer celebrates after scoring during the Group C Euro 2016 qualifying football match between Luxembourg and Spain at the Josy Barthel stadium in Luxembourg on October 12, 2014© Getty Images

SPAIN

Goal

Iker Casillas: Only had one save to make and it was routine for the Porto stopper. Once again given the nod over David de Gea and will have had few quieter nights in his international career. (6/10)

Defence

Juanfran: Was heavily involved in the first period as Spain attacked down his side, but the full-back was less involved after the break. Did not have much to worry about down the other end. (7/10)

Marc Bartra: Had a very good night for the home team. Was strong in the tackle and never afraid to bring the ball out of defence. Made full use of the opportunity to start the game. (8/10)

Gerard Pique: Once again received whistles from the majority of the crowd as the tension showed no sign of easing. On a football level, however, he had a tidy game at the heart of the defence. (7/10)

Jordi Alba: Another impressive evening for the Barcelona full-back, who set up Alcacer for the striker's second with a buccaneering run late on. Was a constant source of danger down the left. (8/10)

Midfield

Sergio Busquets: Should have done better with a shooting chance in the first period, but it was another comfortable evening for the midfielder. Was never under any real pressure. (7/10)

Cesc Fabregas: Much more it from the Chelsea midfielder, who was given the time and space to pick passes. Set up Alcacer's first with a beautiful through-ball and continued to deliver late on. (7/10)

Santi Cazorla: Man-of-the-match performance from the Arsenal man, who opened and indeed completed the scoring on the night. Luxembourg struggled to contain his constant movement. (8/10)

Attack

David Silva: Looked bright in the early stages, but picked up an injury following a nasty challenge from Gerson in the eighth minute and was replaced by Juan Mata moments later. (6/10)

Alvaro Morata: Was given the nod to start through the middle and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions in the first 30 minutes. However, he was also forced off in the first half injured. (7/10)

Pedro: Showed bits and pieces in the final third, but too much of the Chelsea attacker's work did not come off. Was replaced by Nolito in Spain's final change of the evening late on. (6/10)

Substitutes

Juan Mata: Will have been disappointed not to have started such is his excellent club form, but the Manchester United attacker came on in the 11th minute and contributed to a strong victory. (7/10)

Paco Alcacer: Made a strong case to be Spain's main striker for Euro 2016 after scoring another two goals for his country. Showed composure to net the first and instinct to score the second. (8/10)

Nolito: It was a popular change with the fans when the Celta Vigo forward was introduced in the 77th minute and he did not take long to make an impression, setting up Cazorla late on for 4-0. (7/10)


Luxembourg's forward Aurelien Joachim heads the ball during a training session at the Cidade de Coimbra stadium in Coimbra, central Portugal, on October 14, 2013 © Getty Images

LUXEMBOURG

Goal

Jonathan Joubert: Made some smart saves during the contest, but was culpable for Spain's third following a weak challenge on Alba. Not the 36-year-old's best night between the sticks. (6/10)

Defence

Ricardo Delgado: On just his second appearance for Luxembourg, it was always going to be a tough task for the 21-year-old. Found it difficult when Spain upped the tempo in the second period. (6/10)

Maxime Chanot: Found Morata difficult to handle in the first period and it was the same story when Alcacer entered. That said, the centre-back was another that made some good blocks. (6/10)

Lars Gerson: Played in the middle of what was a back five, but the number seven was also prepared to step into midfield. Showed some good ability, but injured Silva with a poor challenge. (6/10)

Kevin Malget: Ultimately part of a defence that conceded four times, but the 24-year-old made some excellent blocks in the first period and can be pleased with his overall performance. (6/10)

Laurent Jans: Had licence to break forward in the first half, but the 23-year-old did not make full use of the space provided. Was pinned back late on when Spain scored their second goal. (6/10)

Midfield

Stefano Bensi: Picked up an early booking for a poor challenge on Busquets, but was arguably his team's biggest attacking threat before being replaced for the final 25 minutes of action. (6/10)

Christopher Martins: Had a very good game in the middle of the park. Proved a strong presence under Spain pressure and the 18-year-old also showed nice ability in the final third of the field. (7/10)

Ben Payal: At 27 and with 67 caps behind him, the midfielder was one of the most experienced members of the XI. However, he struggled to make his mark against a strong Spain midfield. (6/10)

Mario Mutsch: In what was a difficult final 20 minutes, Mutsch continued to drive his team forward. Was not afraid to put his boot on, but that got him involved in an altercation with Fabregas late on. (6/10)

Attack

Aurelien Joachim: Had the difficult task of leading the line for Luxembourg and his effort cannot be questioned. Had a couple of strikes from distance, but never came close to testing Casillas. (6/10)

Substitutes

Maurice Deville: Had few chances to add to his three international goals after entering in the 64th minute. Showed plenty of desire, just never had any real service. (6/10)

Daniel da Mota: Brought on in the 79th minute in a bid to add to his four international goals, but the striker's only real involvement came late on when he was booked for a poor tackle on Juanfran. (5/10)

David Turpel: Was not introduced until the 90th minute. (5/10)


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Spain's defender Jordi Alba (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match Spain vs Slovakia at the Carlos Tartiere stadium in Oviedo on September 5, 2015.
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Match Analysis: Spain 4-0 Luxembourg
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