Ferran Torres scored twice to help Spain thrash bottom side Cyprus 6-0 in a Euro 2024 Group A qualifier on Tuesday, with Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal becoming his country’s youngest-ever starter aged 16 years and 61 days.
It was another record for Spain’s Yamal, who had become his country’s youngest international and goalscorer on Friday when he made his debut in a 7-1 win away to Georgia.
He was once again electric on the right wing and created several opportunities before he was substituted early in the second half, including a curling shot that hit the post in the 39th minute. Alvaro Morata scored from the rebound but the effort was ruled out by the VAR for offside.
Spain’s first-half goals, however, came through assists by another talented young winger, Athletic Bilbao’s 21-year-old Nico Williams.
Gavi struck to give the Spain an early lead in the 18th minute and Mikel Merino headed in the second goal 15 minutes later, both from crosses by Williams.
Substitute Joselu scored the third with a header in the 70th minute and Torres, Alex Baena and Torres again finished off Spain’s demolition job with close-range strikes.
Spain are second in Group A on nine points after four matches.
Haaland on target
Erling Haaland notched his 25th goal in 26 international appearances to help Norway to a 2-1 win over Georgia on Tuesday that kept their Euro 2024 qualification hopes alive.
The 23-year-old striker struck in the 25th minute before captain Martin Odegaard doubled their lead eight minutes later as the home side dominated the match at Oslo’s Ullevaal stadium.
However, with Norway needing all three points to remain in the hunt for one of the two qualifying spots from Group A, Budu Zivzivadze rattled the home side’s nerves by pulling a goal back for Georgia in stoppage time.
Lukaku brace
Romelu Lukaku showed no ill-effects from a lack of playing time this season as he hammered home two goals in as many minutes for Belgium as they beat Estonia 5-0 in their European Championship qualifier in Brussels on Tuesday.
Lukaku has only played 20 minutes of club football this season after his belated loan move from Chelsea to AS Roma but was again on form for his national team, extending his record goal tally for the country to 77.
Italy back on track
Luciano Spalletti engineered his first win as Italy coach as the Azzurri beat Ukraine 2-1 in a crucial qualifier thanks to two goals from Davide Frattesi. The win boosted Italy’s chances of qualifying for Euro 2024 and defending its title.
Play halted
The Romania and Kosovo teams were taken off the field for 45 minutes in Bucharest when home fans aimed pro-Serbia chants at the visiting players. The half resumed after a 45-minute delay and Romania eventually won 2-0.
