La Fabrica push Spain U-21 into the European championship finals

A host of former and current Real Madrid youngsters featured in Spain U-21 3-0 win over Kazakhstan, securing Las Rojas place in the European championship finals.

After impressing in the win over the Faroe Islands, Brahim Diaz started against Kazakhstan alongside Fran Garcia, whom was making his debut for the Spanish U-21s. It was the latter who enjoyed a better first half, seeing plenty of the ball in the first 45 and linking up with team captain Marc Cucurella. Unfortunately, neither could carve out real opportunities as Spain once again laboured to break down their opponent in the first half.

Luis de la Fuente opted to make changes at halftime to try and break the deadlock bringing on Barcelona teenager Pedri and former Castilla forward Dani Gomez for Riqui Puig and Fran Garcia. Cucurella replaced Garcíá at left back and Spain pressed up on the visitors to open the second period. Both Brahim and Pedri saw plenty of the ball, but once again, failed to create any real danger.

The opening goal finally came via a set piece which was tapped home by Valencia centre back Hugo Guillamón. Kazakhstan didn’t react well to the opener and afforded alot more space to the likes of Fran Beltran, Brahim Diaz and Pedri to dictate play. Six minutes after opening the scoring, Spain had doubled their lead, thanks in no small part to the squad’s youngest member. the 17-year-old Pedri received the ball on the left and went on a fantastic run through the Kazakhstani defence before finding Dani Gomez in the box.

The former Castilla forward, now at Levante, fired home into the top corner. That practically secured the result and allowed de le Fuente to make some changes, including bringing another ex-Fabrica man, Manu Hernando, for the goalscorer Hugo.

The Spanish rounded off the scoring five minutes from time with Gomez slapping home a long range effort that the goalkeeper spotted late. It was a very laboured performance from Spain and they were lucky to win 3-0. Nonetheless, the pressure is off for the final two games in November as Spain are assured top spot in Group 6. It should allow de la Fuente to give debut to new players and prepare for the Euro group stages in March.