Spain's Under-21s beat Lithuania as they stand in for the senior squad
Spain’s Under-21s thrash Lithuania 4-0 as they stand in for the senior squad in Euro 2020 warm-up clash with Luis Enrique’s men in isolation after Sergio Busquets tested positive for Covid-19
- Spain’s Under-21s proved capable deputies for the senior team on Tuesday night
- They stepped in for Luis Enrique’s squad and thrashed Lithuania 4-0 in Leganes
- Spain were forced into isolation after Sergio Busquets tested positive for Covid
- Hugo Guillamon, Brahim Diaz, Juan Miranda and Javi Puado all managed to score
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here.
A youthful Spain side outclassed Lithuania to claim an impressive 4-0 victory on Tuesday, with the hosts’ under-21 side drafted in after their first team were forced into isolation.
Valencia defender Hugo Guillamon opened the scoring after three minutes, before Brahim Diaz doubled the lead on 24 as Spain’s youngsters threatened to run riot – with Abel Ruiz missing a penalty on the half hour.
Juan Miranda netted a free kick eight minutes after the restart, before substitute Javi Puado sealed a comfortable victory on 73 minutes.
Spain’s Under-21s thrashed Lithuania 4-0 on Tuesday night as they stood in for the first team
Brahim Diaz fired Spain’s second goal of the night into the back of the net in Leganes
Left back Juan Miranda added a third goal for Spain after 53 minutes as Spain eased to victory
There was still time for Javi Puado to add a fourth as Lithuania endured a tough evening
Spain: Fernandez (Martinez 68), Regano (Pozo (46), Mingueza, Cucurella (Miranda 46), Zubimendi (Blanco 53), Diaz, Villar (Beltran 74), Garcia (Puado 53), Gil, Ruiz.
Subs not used: Cuenca, Pino, Pena
Goals: Guillamon 3, Diaz 24, Miranda 52, Puado 72
Booked: None
Lithuania: Svedkauskas, Mikoliunas (Gaspuitis 62), Beneta, Girdvainis, Vaitkunas, Megelaitis, Simkus (Lasickas 71), Novikovas (Dubickas 75), Golubickas (Eliosius 71), Verbickas (Dapkus 62), Cernych (Petravicius 46).
Subs not used: Krapikas, Laukzemis, Mikelionis, Kazlauskas, Silkaitis, Olberkis
Goals: None
Booked: Cernych, Verbickas
The unfamiliar team were called into action after Spain captain Sergio Busquets tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, sending the entire senior squad and coaching staff into isolation.
Under-21 coach Luis de la Fuente was placed in temporary charge, and his squad, who lost in the semi-finals of their European Championship last Thursday, replaced the senior side so that the fixture could be fulfilled.
The starting team contained 10 debutants for the first time since 1941 with Eibar’s Bryan Gil the only previously capped player.
It was also the youngest ever in Spain’s history with an average age of 22 years and 102 days.
Under-21 coach Luis de la Fuente was placed in temporary charge of the Spanish national side
The Under-21s lost in the semi-finals of their European Championship last Thursday
It could have been worse for Lithuania with Abel Ruiz missing a penalty on the half hour mark
They gave senior coach Luis Enrique food for thought should he require any replacements if there are multiple Covid-19 cases or injuries.
Six senior players – Kepa Arrizabalaga, Raul Albiol, Brais Mendez, Pablo Fornals, Rodrigo Moreno and Carlos Soler – were called up to train in a parallel bubble should multiple replacements be required.
The Spanish FA also said that a number of the Under-21 players will remain in Madrid and train separately to the main squad following the victory.
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