Sweden 1-1 Spain: Moreno’s last-gasp equaliser books spot at Euro 2020 finals

On Jul 11, 2020

Sweden 1-1 Spain: Rodrigo Moreno’s last-gasp equaliser books spot at Euro 2020 finals for visitors after Marcus Berg had put the home side ahead with close-range header

Berg nodded home from close range at the second attempt to put his side ahead
But substitute Rodrigo poked home equaliser from close range in injury time
A point was enough for Spain to secure a place at the finals of Euro 2020
Sweden, Romania and Norway are battling for second qualification place

Published: 16:44 EDT, 15 October 2019 | Updated: 17:58 EDT, 15 October 2019

A stuttering Spain qualified for Euro 2020 as a stoppage-time strike by substitute Rodrigo cancelled out Marcus Berg’s opener for Sweden in a 1-1 draw in Group F on Tuesday.

Having drawn against both Norway and Sweden in their last two matches on their trip to Scandinavia, the Spaniards will have plenty of work to do if they want to be considered among the favourites at next year’s tournament.

With Sergio Ramos suspended following his yellow card in their last game against Norway, Spain started superbly, pinging the ball from side to side and probing for openings behind the Swedish defence.

Substitute Rodrigo Moreno fired home to send his group-leading side to Euro 2020 finals

MATCH FACTS

Sweden: Olsen, Lustig, Lindelof, Granqvist, Bengtsson, Larsson, Olsson, Ekdal (Svensson 83), Forsberg, Quaison (Isak 77), Berg (Andersson 90).

Subs Not Used: Helander, Danielson, Nordfeldt, Gagliolo, Sema, Johnsson, Guidetti, Krafth, Tankovic.

Booked: Olsson, Berg.

Goals: Berg 50.

Spain: De Gea (Arrizabalaga 60), Carvajal (Jesus Navas 81), Albiol, Martinez, Bernat, Rodri, Fabian, Thiago (Rodrigo 66), Ceballos, Gerard, Oyarzabal.

Subs Not Used: Reguilon, Torres, Llorente, Luis Alberto, Saul, Sarabia, Pau Lopez, Busquets, Cazorla.

Booked: Ceballos, Fabian, Rodri.

Goals: Rodrigo 90.

Ref: Clement Turpin (France).

Thiago Alcantara could have put the visitors ahead early on, but after rounding the goalkeeper he miscontrolled the ball and it rolled out for a goal kick.

Midfielder Rodri had a stinging shot saved shortly afterwards and it looked to be only a matter of time before the Spaniards made the breakthrough, but with goalkeeper Robin in Olsen in superb form, the Swedes adjusted and began to grow into the game.

Fullback Mikael Lustig had their first shot on target in the 27th minute and striker Robin Quaison followed it up with a brilliant header that Spain keeper David De Gea clawed away for a corner.

With light rain falling throughout the game, players struggled to keep their footing on the Friends Arena surface.

Striker Berg put Sweden in front early in the second half after his initial header was saved, as was Emil Forsberg’s shot, but Berg nodded home from close range at the second attempt to give his side the lead.

De Gea left the fray injured on the hour mark and despite dominating possession throughout, Spain found it almost impossible to create the kind of chances they had enjoyed in the…