Spain 2-1 Norway: Sergio Ramos penalty wins the game for the hosts

On Aug 19, 2020

Bournemouth striker Josh King silenced Spain fans at the Mestalla but Sergio Ramos had the last word with a Panenka penalty as Luis Enrique’s side beat Norway 2-1.

There was a Mexican Wave going around Mestalla and Spain were doing their best to walk in a second goal after dominating the first 65 minutes but when Iñigo Martinez was adjudged to have fouled substitute Bjorn Johnsen, King stepped up to power a penalty past David de Gea who dived the right way but could not stop the equaliser.

The penalty award looked harsh, there was no question about the one awarded Spain on 71 minutes to put them back in front.

It was Rodrigo who got the first goal of the match for Spain against Norway in Euro qualifiers

Joshua King brought Norway back into the match during the second half with a good penalty

The match wasn’t level for long, as Sergio Ramos regained Spain’s lead with a calm penalty

Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring his penalty, and Spain were able to hang on to win the game

MATCH FACTS

Spain 4-3-3: de Gea; Navas, Ramos, Martinez, Alba; Parejo (Rodri 76), Busquets, Ceballos (Canales 74); Rodrigo, Morata (Mata 89), Asensio

Subs not used: Gomez, Gaya, Niquez, Hermoso, Arrizabalaga, Bernat, Muniain, Roberto, Lopez

Goals: Rodrigo 16, Ramos 71 (pen)

Yellows: Martinez, Ceballos

Norway 4-4-2: Jarstein; Aleesami, Ajer, Nordtveit, Elabdellaoui; Johansen (Kamara 77), Selnaes, Henriksen, Oedegaard (M Elyounoussi 56); T Elyounoussi (Johnsen 55), King

Subs not used: Hovland, Rosted, Soerloth, Braatveit, Fossum, Daehli, Svensson, Linnes, Grytebust

Goals: King 65 (pen)

Yellows: Elyounoussi, Johansen, Ajer

Keeper Rune Jarstein came charging out to tackle Alvaro Morata feet first and he got none of the ball and plenty of the Chelsea player.

Ramos was one a run of having scored in his last four Spain games and he made it five dispatching the ball past Jarstein with a stuttering run and a dinked Panenka finish to make it 2-1.

Morata had done well to win the penalty. He would have felt more guilty than most had Spain not won the game after missing chance after chance on a night when Spain played some sparkling football but lacked the finishing touch.

They laid siege on Norway’s goal from the first minute with Marcos Asensio crossing and Morata heading straight at Jarstein. Morata then crossed for Asensio but the centre was cut out.

When Spain took the lead on 16 minutes it was Jordi Alba and Asensio playing a one-two down the left. The Barcelona full-back crossed and Rodrigo Moreno volleyed home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Alvaro Morata gets up high to head the ball towards goal during the match against Norway

Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard challenges Spain forward Alvaro Morata for the ball

Spain forward Rodrigo celebrates scoring his team’s first goal of the match against Norway

Norway tried to respond quickly but King was penalised for a foul on Martinez as he tried to head in a set-piece.

Rodrgio was unlucky not to…