Euro 2016

[monks data]

European Championship | Qualifiers

Oct 13, 2014 at 7.45pm UK

Andorra Andorra
1-4
Israel Israel

Lima (15' pen.)

FT(HT: 1-2)

Damari (3', 41', 82'), Hemed (96' pen.)

HT Report

Match Report

Football

Andorra dispatched by Israel

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter

Published: October 13 2014 | 21:46

Last updated: October 14 2014 | 21:03

Omer Damari's hat-trick helps Israel secure a 4-1 win away in Andorra in their Euro 2016 Group B qualifier at the Estadi National this evening.

Despite putting up a spirited fight, Andorra ultimately succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Israel in their Euro 2016 Group B clash at the Estadi Nacional this evening, Omer Damari's hat-trick crucial in the Blue and Whites' win.

Israel's forward Omer Damari (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Euro 2016 group D qualifying football match between Andorra on October 13, 2014 © Getty Images

The visitors opened the scoring within three minutes of kickoff, as Damari smashed the ball home into the top corner following a counter-attack led by Eran Zahavi.

However, the home side were gifted a penalty when Nir Bitton fouled Ildefons Lima in the Israel box just before the quarter-hour mark.

The veteran Santa Coloma defender, opting to take the spot kick himself, tucked the ball into the bottom left corner to draw his side level.

Nevertheless, the away side were back in the lead with just four minutes left in the first half, when Tal Ben Haim's cross was poked home by Damari.

Israel, eager to get more out of a match against a side ranked 203rd in the world, were quick off the starting blocks in the second period, with Zahavi firing wide two minutes after the restart.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv man then forced a save out of Ferran Pol five minutes before the break, while Ben Haim's header moments later was off target.

Josep Ayala had a rare chance for Andorra in the 71st minute, but unluckily for the 34-year-old, the ambitious effort from long range was blocked with little difficulty.

The visitors eventually managed to kill off the game with just seven minutes left to play when Damari completed his hat-trick following Bebras Nacho's fine pass.

Israel then added some much-needed gloss to the scoreline after Itay Schechter was brought down in the Andorra box to win a penalty.

Tommer Hemed duly struck the ball into the top-right corner from the spot with the final kick of the game to send Eli Guttman's charges up to second in Group B, a point behind Wales but with a game in hand and a better goal difference.