Ukraine will now enter the playoffs in a bid to make Euro 2016 after losing 1-0 to Spain in their final Group C clash in Kiev.

The hosts needed to beat Spain and hope Slovakia dropped points in Luxembourg in order to qualify in second position, but a first-half Mario Gaspar header secured all the points for already-qualified Spain.

Another clean sheet also means that La Roja have not conceded a competitive goal since last October as they finished their qualification campaign with nine wins from 10 matches.

Here, Sports Mole has dissected the 90 minutes of action between the two teams.

Match statistics

UKRAINE
Shots: 27
On target: 11
Possession: 42%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 15

SPAIN
Shots: 11
On target: 7
Possession: 58%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 14

Was the result fair?

Even the most ardent of Spanish supporters would find it difficult to argue that Ukraine did not deserve something for their efforts in Kiev. It was always going to be an open game due to the fact that Spain had already qualified, while Ukraine almost certainly needed all the points to stand a chance of finishing second in the group. It was Ukraine that started on the front foot, but a bizarre five-minute spell in the first period saw Spain edge ahead on the night and indeed miss a penalty.

It was Mario's header that opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, but Cesc Fabregas missed the chance to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot just three minutes later after he had been brought down inside the box. Spain had their moments as the game developed, but the majority of the chances fell to Ukraine, who could not find a way past the inspired David de Gea. Statistics rarely paint a false picture in football and the fact that Ukraine had 27 attempts, 11 of which were on target, is an indication of what occurred during the game. A makeshift Spain team played well, but Ukraine were the better side on the night.

Ukraine's performance

Having only lost two of their nine qualifiers ahead of this match, Ukraine can feel unfortunate that they had not already secured a spot at Euro 2016 ahead of this match. They entered the fixture level on points with Slovakia, but an inferior head-to-head record meant that they needed to better what Slovakia did in Luxembourg. Qualification as the best third-place team was also an option, but they would have needed to win against Spain and rely on other results. The message from head coach Mykhaylo Fomenko would have been to win and then hope for a favour elsewhere, which did not come as Slovakia also won.

The hosts came close to opening the scoring in the fourth minute when Andriy Yarmolenko flashed a super cross towards Artem Kravets, but the striker could not convert from close range. De Gea was then forced into two excellent saves in the 16th minute, with Kravets and then Ruslan Rotan somehow denied by the Spain goalkeeper. At that point, the hosts were in control, but poor defending allowed Mario to head Spain into the lead, before Oleksandr Kucher brought Fabregas to the ground inside the penalty box three minutes later. Ukraine survived the spot kick, but the damage had been done.

By the 32nd minute, Slovakia were 3-0 ahead in Luxembourg and Ukraine's challenge looked over. Luxembourg did manage to cut the score to 3-2 in the second period during a spell of Ukraine domination, but they just could not find a way past De Gea. Yevhen Konoplyanka and Yarmolenko both had strong second halves as the hosts created chance after chance, but the ball just would not find the back of the net. The only real criticism that can be aimed at Ukraine is poor finishing, but if they play like they did here in the playoffs then it would be a surprise if they were not at next summer's tournament in France.

Spain's performance

After booking their spot at Euro 2016 on Friday, Spain boss Vicente del Bosque could afford to ring the changes in Kiev. In fact, he made 10 in total. Only Fabregas, on his 100th appearance, remained in the team and it was a special game for the midfielder as he skippered La Roja. There were debuts for Mario and Xabier Etxeita, while Nolito was also given a start off the back of a fine 12 months for Celta Vigo. It was very much a makeshift Spain XI, but after surviving some early pressure, Mario capped his debut with a header at the far post, with the visitors taking the lead in the 22nd minute of the contest.

A super save from Andriy Pyatov stopped Fabregas making it 2-0 form the penalty spot, but from that moment forward, Ukraine were in control. Kravets had a couple of excellent chances in the latter stages of the first period, but poor finishing from the hosts and some wonderful goalkeeping saw Del Bosque's side lead 1-0 at the break. It was a similar pattern in the second half, with Spain enjoying spells of possession, but mainly having to defend deep against a free-flowing Ukraine side.

The European champions had their moments during the second 45 minutes, but they were fortunate to escape with all three points after what was a half controlled by the team in yellow. It was a brand new back four on display for Spain, but another clean sheet will have delighted Del Bosque, whose team have now not conceded in their last eight competitive internationals. One look at the bench in Kiev was an indication of the strength that La Roja possess and a strong qualification campaign ended with 27 points from an available 30. Spain were fortunate here, but it was another overwhelmingly positive night for La Roja.

Sports Mole's man of the match

David de Gea: This is not a particularly difficult decision. The Manchester United goalkeeper was given the chance to start ahead of Iker Casillas and surely he will be the number one at Euro 2016. The 24-year-old had to make a host of routine saves, but a double stop in the first half to deny Kravets and then Rotan in quick succession really caught the attention. De Gea was also excellent from high balls as he took the pressure off his back four.

Biggest gaffe

It is difficult to pick out one particular moment, but Ukraine's finishing as a whole was disappointing. As well as the hosts played in Kiev, their shooting was poor, especially from inside the box. It would not be a surprise if that was high on the priority list of head coach Fomenko ahead of the upcoming two-legged playoff.

Referee performance

Referee Milorad Mazic had a solid game in Ukraine. The Serbian, who issued six yellow cards, never looked out of control and was indeed correct to award Spain a first-half penalty. There were a couple of incidents that threatened to boil over, but the 42-year-old remained a calming influence in the middle.

What next?

Ukraine: Ukraine will wait to learn their opponents in the playoffs as they bid to qualify for Euro 2016.

Spain: La Roja will host England in a friendly on November 13.