Isco, star of Spain’s Under-21’s victory against Croatia
Málaga player Isco, who assisted Rodrigo’s second goal, played 73 minutes in the Under-21’s Spanish national side. This sees the start of the Málaga CF players representing their national teams, with selection on the 7th and 11th of October.
The Málaga midfielder was in the team from the start of the match against Croatia, whom Spain beat by two goals to nil, in the third game of the European championship qualifiers. Isco, together with his teammates at the centre and upfront, provided the main Spanish attack, with a good free kick which goalkeeper Kalinic missed. Just before the first hour of the match was up, Isco played a high pass to Rodrigo, who scored with his left foot, taking Spain two goals in front of the team coached by Luis Milla. The Málaga midfielder was substituted in the 73rd minute by Juan Carlos.
This match sees the start of a weekend of national team selections, those involved from Malaga CF include Santi Cazorla (Spain) Mathijsen (Holland), Rondón (Venezuela), Demichelis (Argentina) and Eliseu (Portugal).
Match:
CROATIA: Kalinic; Antolic, Pavlovic, Kelic, Zuparic; Situm, Puncec (Vujicevic, 46’), Brozovic, Cop (Kukoc-Petraello, 70’); Kovacic and Vukusic (Lendric, 57’).
SPAIN: De Gea; Montoya, Amat, Iñigo Martínez, Planas; Oriol; Canales (Dani Pacheco, 87’), Koke, Isco (Juan Carlos, 73’), Muniain; y Rodrigo (Álvaro Vázquez, 79’).
GOALS: 0-1 Koke in minute 18. 0-2 Rodrigo in minute 57.
REFEREE : Steven McLean (Scotland)
CARDS : Puncec, Pavlovic and Brozovic
STADIUM: VRT Gradski Stadium, Osijek, Croatia. A crowd of 3,000. Spanish players were wearing black armbands in memory of the former Spanish national player Chus Pereda.
Foto: RFEF
