Spain tear Haaland-less Norway apart as Odegaard gets thumped by Rodri

Unlike the final result (3-0) suggests, it was not easy or smooth. Spain had to put on an enormous effort to defeat Norway in the opening Euro 2024 qualifiers' game played on Saturday night at La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga.

Despite the absence of their central star, Manchester City's impeccable striker Erling Haaland, the visitors proved themselves as a genuinely die-hard team, willing to fight and capable of it, even against such a magnificent squad like the Spanish one.

Although La Furia Roja got in front through Dani Olmo 13 minutes into the game, the Norwegian slot bounced back and even got close to a leveller. It was Arsenal star Martin Odegaard that kept the machine going, and the same player was close to scoring the equalizer a few minutes before the interval.

However, Manchester City's go-to guy Rodri took him down inside the box with a sliding tackle that seemed too harsh for everyone except the referee. His decision not to reward a penalty caused lots of grumbles among the Scandinavians, and Odegaard ended up with a booking for his vocal protests.

The second half, or at least the majority, seemed not so exciting before the 32-year-old debutant Joselu netted twice in just two minutes to make history and push his side to a landslide, 3-0 victory.

He came on for Morata in the 81st minute and then bagged a brace with two beauties in the 84th and 85th minute for a one-in-a-million achievement.

EURO 2024 - Qualifiers

Thursday

Kazakhstan - Slovenia 1-2 (1-0)

/Samodorov 24 - Brekalo 47, Vipotnik 78/

Slovakia - Luxembourg 0-0

N.Macedonia - Malta 2-1 (0-0)

/Elmas 66, Churlinov 72 - Yannick 86/

B&H - Iceland 3-0 (2-0)

/Krunic 14, 40, Dedic 63/

Italy - England 1-2 (0-2)

/Retegui 56 - Rice 13, Kane 44 pen/

Denmark - Finland 3-1 (1-0)

/Hojlund 21, 82, 90+3 - Antman 54/

San Marino - N.Ireland 0-2 (0-1)

/Charles 24, 55/

Portugal - Liechtenstein 4-0 (1-0)

/Cancelo 8, Silva 47, Ronaldo 51 pen, 63/

Friday

Bulgaria - Montenegro 0-1 (0-0)

/Krstovic 70/

Austria - Azerbaijan 4-1 (2-0)

/Sabitzer 28, 50, Gregorisch 29, Baumgartner 69 - Mahmudov 64/

Czech Republic - Poland 3-1 (2-0)

/Krejci 1, Cvancara 3, Kuchta 64 - Szymanski 87/

France - Netherlands 4-0 (3-0)

/Griezmann 2, Upamecano 8, Mbappe 21, 88/

Gibraltar - Greece 0-3 (0-2)

/Masouras 11, Siopis 45, Bakasetas 58/

Moldova - Faroe Islands 1-1 (0-1)

/Nicolaescu 86 pen - Mikkelsen 27/

Serbia - Lithuania 2-0 (1-0)

/Tadic 16, Vlahovic 53/

Sweden - Belgium 0-3 (0-1)

/Lukaku 35, 49, 83/

Saturday

Scotland - Cyprus 3-0 (1-0)

/McGinn 21, McTominay 87, 90+3/

Armenia - Turkey 1-2 (1-1)

/Kabak 10 og - Kokcu 34, Akturkoglu 64/

Belarus - Switzerland 0-5 (0-3)

/Steffen 4,17,29, Xhaka 62, Amdouni 65/

Israel - Kosovo* 1-1 (0-1)

/Peretz 56 - Dasa 36 og/

Spain - Norway 3-0 (1-0)

/Olmo 13, Joselu 84,85/

Croatia - Wales 1-1 (1-0)

/Kramaric 28 - Broadhead 90+3/

Andorra - Romania 0-2 (0-1)

/Man 34, Alibec 49/

Sunday

17.00: (12.0) Kazakhstan (5.80) Denmark (1.25)

20.00: (19.0) Liechtenstein (7.75) Iceland (1.15)

20.00: (1.28) England (5.50) Ukraine (11.0)

20.00: (1.02) Slovenia (20.0) San Marino (45.0)

22.45: (2.65) Slovakia (3.10) B&H (2.85)

22.45: (23.0) Malta (10.0) Italy (1.10)

22.45: (2.55) N.Ireland (3.05) Finland (3.00)

22.45: (15.0) Luxembourg (7.25) Portugal (1.18)

*** odds are subject to change ***