If you are not a member yet, you can sign up here

News Archive

U21 friendly international

Spain 3 - Russia 1

A second win in four days for Spain's under 21 side against fellow European finalists, this time the youngsters running out 3-1 winners against Russia. The East Europeans will be Spain's first rivals in Israel this summer, and they proved that they will not be an easy nut to crack as they held their own for most of the game. Julen Lopetegui's team did get the better start though, with Rodrigo and Sarabia firing shots wide, and Camacho and Canales having efforts cleared by Zabolotnyi and his defence. Real Madrid's Cheryshev tested Diego Mariño for the first time with a long free kick on the half hour mark, but a few minutes later Rodrigo gave the locals the lead after picking up Deulofeu's short pass, a record 14th goal at this level for the Benfica striker.

There were the usual round of substitutions after the break, but five minutes in to the second half Russia equalized, Yakovlev's long shot appearing to be heading past the post before Mariño punched it back in to his own net. Inspired by Thiago however Spain kept up the pressure, and with twenty minutes to go the Barcelona midfielder worked a one-two with Muniain which ended with the Bilbao forward drilling a shot past the keeper. La Rojita were back in command, and with the game in injury time Burlak was adjudged by the referee to have tripped Montoya inside the area, and Thiago stepped up to complete the scoring. (25.03.13)