European champions qualifier match report Romania v Spain
Spain held off a resilient Romania to claim a 2-1 victory in their 2022 European Championship qualifier in Group F on Thursday evening. Spain showed up with five changes, as Dani Ceballos, Paco Alcacer, Diego Llorente, Saul Niguez and Rodrigo came in from the side that won 3-0 against Sweden in June. The Spaniards threaded the first chance on five minutes; as Alcacer drew a finger-tip save from Ciprian Tatarusanu after attempting a bottom corner finish from a through ball. From a corner, Spain threatened again on 13 minutes as Sergio Ramos powered a header at the back post but Tatarusanu pulled off another fine save. The home side looked dangerous on a few counter-attacks shortly afterwards, however the Spaniards proved difficult to break down. Romania's resistance was finally broken as Ramos possessed composure to slot home from the spot on 29 minutes following a foul inside the area. Spain looked to increase their advantage ten minutes to halftime with half-volleys from Rodrigo and Alcacer, but neither got the better of Tatarusanu. The visitors did eventually double their lead straight after the break as a couple of passes around the area found an unmarked Alcacer, who tapped into an empty net. As a result, Romania pulled on the game's first change on 56 minutes, as Florin Andone came on for Claudiu Keseru in attack. The switch proved a masterstroke as Andone found space inside the area to cut the deficit four minutes later with a low header from a cross on the left. Spain finished with ten men after Llorente denied George Puscas a clear goal-scoring opportunity following a sweeping counter-attack in the final 10 minutes. Romania nearly stole a point in added time, but solid saves from Kepa Arrizabalaga denied Puscas and Dragos Grigore, guiding La Roja to their first-ever win in Bucharest.