Already-qualified Spain rounded off their Euro 2016 qualification campaign with a final Group C clash against Ukraine on Kiev, with the hosts setting their sights on second position ahead of Slovakia.
The visitors took the lead in the 22nd minute when Mario Gaspar headed home from close range, but Cesc Fabregas missed the chance to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot just three minutes later.
Ukraine had a number of chances to draw level in the first and second period, but the hosts could not find a response and will now continue their bid to qualify for Euro 2016 through the playoffs.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Euro 2016 qualification coverage continues from Kiev as Ukraine welcome Spain. The visitors have already booked their spot at next summer's tournament, but Ukraine are battling Slovakia for second in Group C. It is a big night in this particular group as the qualification process draws to a close and I shall also keep you up-to-date with what happens in Slovakia's trip to Luxembourg.
First and foremost, let me bring you the all-important team news from Kiev...
TEAMS:
UKRAINE: Pyatov; Fedetskiy, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk; Stepanenko, Rotan, Garmash; Yarmolenko, Kravets, Konoplyanka
SPAIN: De Gea; Mario, Etxeita, Nacho, Azpilicueta; San Jose, Fabregas, Thiago; Isco, Alcacer, Nolito
So there we have it. Ukraine are without Dynamo Kyiv pair Yevhen Khacheridi and Serhiy Sydorchuk this evening through suspension and as a result, Olexandr Kucher and Denys Garmash both come into the XI. Danger pair Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko also start for the hosts either side of forward Artem Kravets, while Ruslan Rotan will skipper the team on his 84th appearance.
Spain boss Vicente del Bosque, meanwhile, has made a whole host of changes to his XI. In fact, only Cesc Fabregas remains from the team that started against Luxembourg, with Mario Gaspar and Xabier Etxeita both winning their first caps this evening from defence. There is also just a second Spain appearance for Real Madrid's Nacho, while Mikel San Jose gets a spot in the middle of midfield. Paco Alcacer, who scored twice last time out, is selected in the final third alongside Isco and Nolito.
© AFP
So there we have it. The team news is in and we are now around 45 minutes from the start of this match. It is pretty simple for Ukraine – they need a better outcome in this match than Slovakia manage away to Luxembourg. Spain, who have 24 points, won the group by beating Luxembourg on Friday, but second position and the final qualification spot is still open. Who will book an automatic ticket?
As it stands, Slovakia sit second due to their super head-to-head record over Ukraine, but there is still everything to play for. In truth, Slovakia are big favourites to win in Luxembourg tonight, but if that match finishes a draw then Ukraine will still need to collect all three points in this one. The message from the Ukraine camp will be clear – do your own job and then hope for a favour elsewhere.
Ukraine opened their Group C campaign with a 1-0 home defeat to Slovakia, but then won their next three, against Belarus, Macedonia and Luxembourg, without conceding. Then came a 1-0 defeat in Spain, but they are unbeaten in their last four, which has included victories over Luxembourg, Belarus and Macedonia, in addition to a 0-0 draw in Slovakia last month. More than a year of work comes down to this one game and it is a massive fixture for the country as a whole, you can feel it tonight.
As the host nation, Ukraine automatically qualified for Euro 2012, but it proved a disappointing tournament as they exited in the group stages after winning just one game. They did not qualify for the World Cup in either 1998 or 2002 after becoming an independent nation, but they made the quarter-finals in 2006, which remains their best ever performance on the world stage.
Since experienced manager Mykhaylo Fomenko took charge of Ukraine in 2012, however, it has been a strong period. In fact, Fomenko currently has a 70% win-rate in charge of his nation having been victorious in 19 of his 27 official games and losing just three times. One look at their squad is also an indication that Ukraine are very much a team that must be taken seriously on the world stage.
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The fact that they have collected 19 points from their nine games and not yet secured qualification is extremely unlucky, but the 1-0 home defeat to Slovakia could well end up costing them. In all likelihood, Slovakia will win their game this evening, but Ukraine will still need to perform here regardless of what happens in Luxembourg. The atmosphere is building with kickoff fast approaching here.
As for Spain, the pressure is very much off Vicente del Bosque and his team this evening. Friday's 4-0 win over Luxembourg secured top spot in the group and indeed a place at Euro 2016. Santi Cazorla and Paco Alcacer both scored twice for the European champions, but there was bad news as David Silva and Alvaro Morata, who both miss out in Kiev tonight, picked up first-half injuries.
Spain opened their Group C campaign with a thumping 5-1 win over Macedonia, but were then beaten 2-1 in Slovakia in their second match. They have won every group game since then without conceding, however, which is a quite incredible run of form. They put eight past Luxembourg over two games and also beat Ukraine 1-0 in the reverse match in March, when Morata scored the only goal.
There were calls for Del Bosque to leave his post with the national team following the 2014 World Cup, where La Roja were surprisingly eliminated in the group stages, but the 64-year-old has led his country into Euro 2016 in fairly comfortable fashion. They will enter the Euros having won the last two editions of the tournament and will once again be among the favourites to lift the trophy in France.
Spain have two confirmed friendlies for later this year, with quick-fire games against England and Belgium, who have also both already qualified for Euro 2016, to come in November. Spain's recent friendly record is surprisingly poor, however, losing four of their last eight and winning just one of their last four, which has included defeats against France, Germany and Netherlands.
Spain actually went out in the group stages of Euro 2004, but their overall record in the European Championships is strong. Three-time winners, they also finished as runners-up in 1984 and made the quarter-finals in both 1996 and 2000. During their 2012 success, they won all six games at the finals and only conceded once. Little over 15 minutes until kickoff on this chilly evening in Kiev...
100 AND NOT OUT! Cesc Fabregas will win his 100th cap for Spain tonight...
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PREDICTION! I think that this could be a tough night for what is an experimental Spain team. Ukraine must win to stand a chance of finishing second in the group, but that said, I believe that the visitors have enough about them to claim a point. I am backing an entertaining 1-1 draw in Kiev.
Just a reminder that Spain have already qualified for Euro 2016 as Group C winners, but Ukraine need to win tonight to have a chance of securing second position. Slovakia are in Luxembourg tonight.
The national anthems have been completed and we are just about ready to get this match underway. The pressure is off Spain, but as expected, Ukraine are pumped. The stadium is bouncing here.
KICKOFF! Fabregas, on his 100th cap, captains Spain this evening, while Rotan has the armband for the hosts. It is a cold evening in Kiev, but the atmosphere is certainly warming things up as we enter this key match. It is the away team that get the first 45 minutes of action underway here...
... as expected, it has been a high-tempo start from both teams, with Ukraine doing most of the pressing but Spain having the ball. Nolito finds space in a wide position before feeding Isco, but the danger is cleared for a corner. You sense that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial.
CHANCE! First chance of the match falls to the home side as Kravets shows excellent feet in a wide position before drilling one towards the far post, but Yarmolenko does not get proper contact on the ball and Spain survive. It has been a very open start to this Group C clash, that is for sure.
Possession football from Spain in the last couple of minutes, with Nolito heavily involved inside the opening six minutes here. Azpilicueta, who joined Nolito in a forward position, strikes one from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. Still goalless, but plenty happening here.
A little tester for De Gea as Garmash strikes one from outside the box, comfortable for the stopper.
It must be said that the surface in Kiev this evening is very good and Spain's ball players are enjoying knocking it around in the final third. Ukraine remain the team that are looking to break with pace, but they are having to wait to get it back when they lose it. Still goalless in Luxembourg, meanwhile.
CHANCE! Fabregas almost caps his 100th Spain appearance with a goal after a super pass from Isco, but the Chelsea midfielder can only fire over the crossbar under pressure from Garmash.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is in the stands this evening and one thing is for certain, he is not in Kiev for the weather. Maybe to watch Fabregas? Unlikely. It screams scouting mission to me.
It is not really happening for the home side in the final third at the moment as another attack down the right breaks down when Fabregas is across on the cover. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, which is excellent to see/hear. We need more games like this.
SAVES! Excellent goalkeeping from De Gea twice in quick succession as the Man United stopper first denies Kravets, before stopping a thumping effort from Rotan. Sensational work there!
Casillas is Casillas, but surely De Gea will be the number one for Euro 2016. For me, there is not a better goalkeeper in world football than the Spaniard. Ukraine will feel that they should be ahead, but it is Spain with possession and level as this first 45 minutes continues to gather pace in Kiev.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear Spain chances at the moment, but they are moving the ball well in the final third, which is quietening the home supporters. Just a reminder that Ukraine need to win tonight and also a favour from Luxembourg if they are to finish above Slovakia.
GOAL! Ukraine 0-1 Spain (Mario)
Spain break the deadlock in Kiev as Mario Gaspar, on his international debut, heads home at the far post after Thiago had sent a cross into a dangerous area. The most unlikeliest of scorers here!
PENALTY SPAIN!
BOOKING! Kucher (Ukraine) is booked and Spain have a penalty as Fabregas is brought to the ground inside the penalty area. It will be Fabregas on his 100th international appearance...
SAVE! Pyatov pushes Fabregas's effort over the crossbar. Excellent save!
GOAL ALERT! Slovakia lead against Luxembourg, which means that Ukraine would finish third even if they won tonight, as things stand of course. It is suddenly all happening in Group C!
SAVE! Kravets remains Ukraine's biggest threat and again comes close with a low effort that seems destined for the bottom corner, but De Gea is on hand to make another super save down low!
CHANCE! A spell of pin-ball inside the Spain box leads to Garmash having a headed chance from close range, but his effort is over the crossbar. Good grief hardly time to take a breath at the moment!
Ukraine again flood forward and have another opportunity when Garmash angles one towards the bottom corner, but San Jose is on hand to turn wide of the post for yet another corner. Ukraine are creating a whole host of chances, but it is Spain that lead with 30 minutes on the clock in Kiev.
GOAL ALERT! Slovakia are now 3-0 ahead in Luxembourg, which means that the dream of finishing second is pretty much over for Ukraine. The stadium must know as it has been silenced.
It looks like it will be the playoffs for Ukraine and they will be a serious threat through that avenue. Back in Kiev, Spain are in control of the possession as they pass and move in the final third and another opportunity arrives as Pyatov flaps at a cross, but Nolito is denied by the diving goalkeeper.
There has still not been a single booking in this game and in truth, the referee has not had to stop the play on too many occasions, which is a surprise when Spain are involved. The visitors continue to threaten with their quick movement and incisive football, but San Jose has his latest attempt blocked.
BOOKING! Thiago (Spain). Of course, just as I say that there have been no bookings in this game, Thiago picks up a card for a high challenge on Kravets. Of course, the curse of the commentator.
The home side seemingly have another opportunity to level the scores as the dangerous Kravets collects a low cross inside the box, but the striker had just moved too soon and was flagged.
Well, I suspect that Del Bosque will be delighted with his experimental line-up as we approach the interval in Kiev. Isco almost has another half-chance for Spain following a smart through pass from Thiago, but Pyatov just does enough to claim. All said and done, the visitors still lead 1-0 here.
San Jose, who is playing in the Sergio Busquets role tonight, has controlled things in a central area for Spain and will be pleased with his first half of action. Debut boys Mario and Etxeita have also contributed in the opening 43 minutes. The atmosphere has dropped as we approach the interval.
Thiago is a touch fortunate to still be on the field here as he brings Konoplyanka to the ground in a dangerous position. That could well have been a second yellow card for the midfielder...
... Konoplyanka goes for goal from a wide angle, but De Gea punches clear.
HALF-TIME: Ukraine 0-1 Spain
So there we have it. The referee brings an eventful first period to a close with Spain leading 1-0 courtesy of a header from Mario on his international debut. The visitors had the chance to score a second in the 25th minute when Fabregas was felled inside the box, but the midfielder missed from the spot. Ukraine have had a number of opportunities to level, but De Gea has pulled off some excellent saves.
STATISTICS! Spain have dominated the possession with 65%, while they have had six attempts, three of which were on target. As for Ukraine, they have hit the target with six of their 11 attempts, which indicates that it has been a busy half for De Gea. There have also been two bookings, one for Kucher during the penalty incident and another for Thiago, who bundled into the back of Kravets.
BENCH WATCH! It would be a surprise if Ukraine boss Fomenko made any alterations at the interval, but he has a number of attacking options in the shape of Gusev, Malinovskiy, Karavaev and Seleznyov. As for Spain, the likes of Mata, Cazorla, Pedro and Busquets are all in reserve this evening.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. With Slovakia 3-0 up in Luxembourg, even a win for Ukraine tonight would see them finish third in the section. The players will be aware of that, but let's still hope for a good second half as Ukraine kick off...
... there is of course still a chance that Ukraine could qualify as the best third-place team, but that position is doing to Hungary at the moment. The hosts have a half-chance when Yarmolenko breaks into a wide angle, but his low attempt was always moving wide of the post. Fast start from Ukraine.
Yarmolenko has been a real live-wire since the start and the attacker sets up another opportunity for Konoplyanka, who arrived unmarked at the far post, but the former's cross had just gone out of play.
Super build-up from Spain as Fabregas finds space before playing in Nolito, who sets up Thiago for a cross, but Kucher is on hand to clear. Mario is involved down the opposite side moments later, but his cross is also blocked as Ukraine manage to survive. Still 1-0 to the visitors with 51 minutes played.
CLOSE! Again it is Yarmolenko that threatens for Ukraine as he dances past two challengers before releasing a strike, but his effort was always just wide of the post. Super feet from the attacker.
BOOKING! San Jose (Spain) is booked for a late challenge on Stepanenko.
SAVE! Ukraine goalkeeper Pyatov is called into action once again to tip an Isco effort wide of the post after an excellent pass from Thiago. Spain are starting to open up in Kiev.
GOAL DISALLOWED! San Jose hammers the ball into the top of the net following a spell of Spain pressure, but the goal is disallowed for a lunge on Yarmolenko, with Nacho the guilty party. Alcacer had been denied by a smart save in the build-up, which included a quite delicious flick from Thiago.
Plenty happening here as Yarmolenko again comes close, but his effort is blocked en route to goal, before De Gea denies a long-range strike from Rakitskiy. Still 1-0 Spain with 56 minutes played.
SAVE! Another flying save from De Gea as he pushes a Garmash header over the crossbar.
UKRAINE SUB! Rybalka replaces Garmash.
Ukraine are throwing everything at Spain at the moment, but De Gea has been in wonderful form for the visitors. You sense that a second goal for the visitors would kill off Ukraine's challenge here.
BOOKING! Stepanenko (Ukraine) is booked for a late challenge on Azpilicueta.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this evening as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Spain, meanwhile, are preparing to make their first change here.
Konoplyanka curls one wide of the post as Spain survive another spell of pressure.
SPAIN SUB! Juan Mata replaces Fabregas in Spain's first change.
CHANCE! Yet another opportunity for the home side as Yarmolenko delivers another dangerous cross into the Spain box, but somehow there are no takers. Konoplyanka was the closest!
Konoplyanka continues to cause problems for Ukraine as he cuts inside two defenders before flashing one towards the bottom corner, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. Excellent work!
GOAL UPDATE! Luxembourg have managed to score twice against Slovakia in the second period, with the visitors now just 3-2 ahead on the night. That has brought cheers inside the stadium!
Not an awful lot happening for Spain at the moment as Ukraine continue to force the issue, but the visitors are still 1-0 ahead courtesy of that first-half header from Mario, which seems a very long time ago now. Another strike comes in from Rakitskiy, but his effort was always travelling over.
I suspect that shooting practice will be high on the agenda ahead of the playoffs as Kravets fires high and wide of the crossbar following more good work from Yarmolenko. It is quite incredible that the hosts have not been able to score. They have little over 15 minutes to turn this game around.
SPAIN SUB! Alba replaces Nolito in Spain's second change.
Ukraine keep coming forward, but you sense that some of their fight has gone, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. They have put so much into the game, but are still behind as we approach the final 10 minutes. They are almost certainly heading into the Euro 2016 playoffs.
BOOKING! Fedetskiy (Ukraine) is booked for a poor challenge on Alba.
Slovakia are still winning 3-2 in Luxembourg, but an equaliser there and a win for Ukraine here would see the home side move into second position. A lot to ask for I know, but you never know. Spain have just taken control of the possession in the last couple of minutes in Kiev.
It has been a really untidy game in the last few minutes, with Ukraine guilty of a number of late challenges. Spain are simply moving the ball and running down time as we enter the latter stages.
Another opportunity comes and goes for the home team as Rybalka strikes one over the crossbar from outside the box under little pressure. The ball just will not go in for Ukraine tonight.
SPAIN SUB! Sergio Busquets for Alcacer is Spain's final change.
CHANCE! Yet another chance for Ukraine as Stepanenko chests down inside the Spain box before releasing a powerful strike, but his effort is deflected wide for a corner. De Gea was left standing!
UKRAINE SUBS! Rotan and Kravets are replaced by Seleznyov and Zinchenko.
It is looking like it will be one of those nights for Ukraine as another shot from Seleznyov flies over the crossbar. De Gea restarts with a goal kick as we approach the 90th minute in Kiev.
SAVE! Another fantastic save from De Gea as he keeps out Rybalka.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes here.
Half-chance for Spain to score a second as Thiago lines one up outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Ukraine are heading for the lottery of the playoffs.
FULL-TIME: Ukraine 0-1 Spain
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Spain recording a 1-0 win in Kiev. The visitors finish Group C on 27 points, while Ukraine, who have finished third, will enter the playoffs in a bid to make Euro 2016. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
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