Spain start Euro qualifying after win over Norway

Madrid, March 24 (IANS) Spain got their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign off to a good start thanks to a 2-1 win over Norway in Valencia's Mestalla Stadium.

The Spanish were the better side, but poor finishing meant that Norway were in with the chance of taking a point until the final whistle on Saturday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Spain coach Luis Enrique included Valencia duo Rodrigo Moreno and Dani Parejo in his starting 11 and was rewarded when Rodrigo opened the scoring in the 16th minute, sliding a pass from Jordi Alba past Norway keeper, Rune Jarstein.

The Spanish were controlling the ball and created a handful of chances in the first half, but a combination of poor finishing, with Alvaro Morata the most guilty party, and some decent keeping from Jarstein, kept the score down.

Jarstein produced good saves from Morata, Parejo, Dani Caballos and Marco Asensio and on another day the Spanish outfit could have had the game resolved before halftime.

The second half saw Norway look to take the game more to Spain and they got an equalizer from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute.

Inigo Martinez was penalized for shirt pulling in the Spain area following a corner and Josh King beat David de Gea from the spot.

The 1-1 didn't last for long as a poor backpass saw Jarstein race out of his goal and scythe down Morata to concede a penalty and Sergio Ramos calmly clipped the ball into the middle of the goal as Jarstein dived to his right.

Spain had further chances to seal the win but once again their finishing was wayward, with Asensio chipping the ball over the bar when he had just the keeper to beat.

(This story has not been edited by Social News XYZ staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)