Spain replaced Slovakia at the top of Group C with a 2-0 win in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday.

Jordi Alba opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a close-range header, before Andres Iniesta netted from the penalty spot 15 minutes before the end of the first period.

La Roja have now joined Slovakia on 18 points, while Ukraine are three points behind in third with three group games left to play.

Here, Sports Mole has dissected the 90 minutes of action in Oviedo.

Match statistics

SPAIN
Shots: 17
On target: 3
Possession: 75%
Corners: 9
Fouls: 6

SLOVAKIA
Shots: 5
On target: 2
Possession: 25%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 8

Was the result fair?

For all Spain's domination in terms of possession and chances created, the hosts only actually registered one more attempt on target than Slovakia in Oviedo. That said, there is little doubting that La Roja deserved to emerge with all three points in the Group C clash. Slovakia had some decent moments on the counter attack, but there was not an extended period of the match where Spain looked in danger of losing control. The fact that the hosts opened the scoring at such an early stage was certainly a help and when Iniesta made it 2-0, it was always going to be a tough ask for Slovakia to respond. To be truthful, the visitors simply did not have enough of the ball on Saturday to stand a chance of securing a positive result. Even the most ardent of Slovakia supporters would find it difficult to argue with the final score.

Spain's performance

There were some interesting faces in the Spain XI, with Chelsea duo Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa preferred in the team to the likes of Koke, Santi Cazorla and Isco. Iker Casillas was also given the nod between the sticks ahead of David de Gea, who has still not played a single match this season. Spain could and perhaps should have been 1-0 behind inside the opening five minutes when a slip from Sergio Ramos allowed Robert Mak through on goal, but the attacker could only screw his effort wide of the post. Moments later, however, Spain were ahead as Alba converted a wonderful cross from David Silva, who ran the game from a forward position. Spain's second of the match came in the 30th minute and it was a fortuitous decision from the referee that led to Iniesta scoring from the spot. Costa had the pace to meet a through ball from Fabregas and in the eyes of the referee, Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik had brought the forward to the ground.

Slovakia will feel that the decision to award a penalty and ultimately fall 2-0 behind ended their chances of a comeback, but a powerful effort from Marek Hamsik late in the first period did send a warning to the hosts. It took a bit of time for Spain to get going in the second period, with Casillas forced into a couple of smart saves early in the half. The home side remained in control of the possession, however, and were able to take the sting out of the game when needed. Sergio Busquets and Silva both came close to adding to the scoring in the latter stages, but anything more than 2-0 would have been harsh on Slovakia, who had their moments during the qualifier. It was not exactly a vintage performance from Spain, whose finishing was disappointing, but three points and a clean sheet will please head coach Vicente del Bosque. As it stands, the reigning European champions are in pole position to qualify for Euro 2016 as group winners.

Slovakia's performance

When the teamsheets were handed in, it quickly became clear that Slovakia boss Jan Kozak had set up a defensive team for the match. Indeed, there was not a recognised out-and-out striker in Kozak's XI, which gives an idea of the approach that was adopted. That is not to say that the visitors did not attempt to cause Spain problems, but almost all of their bright moments came on the counter attack, where they lacked serious numbers. As mentioned, the final result might have been different had Mak sent his team ahead in the fifth minute and indeed less than one minute later, Spain had scored a goal of their own. Mak, in addition to Dusan Svento and Patrik Hrosovsky, did his best to make things happen in the final third, but one look at the possession statistics will demonstrate how difficult it was for the forward players. At 1-0, they were always in the game, but when Iniesta scored a second from the penalty spot, it was a tough task.

That said, Slovakia did start the second period on the front foot. Michal Duris, who replaced Mak at the interval, came close to halving the deficit in the 50th minute, but the attacker could not beat Casillas from a tight angle. Spain continued to boss the possession as the match progressed, but Slovakia's counter-attacking threat was a feature of what occurred in Oviedo. Both managers made changes as the second period gathered pace, but the damage had already been done in the first half. Slovakia actually entered the match as the form team in international football having won their last nine fixtures, but without their suspended captain Martin Skrtel, they just did not cause Spain enough problems. It is far from a disastrous result, however, with qualification as runners-up still very much in their hands at this late stage.

Sports Mole's man of the match

David Silva: Alba deserves a mention in this category, but Silva was just magic for Spain on Saturday. It was the Manchester City attacker's cross that led to Alba opening the scoring early on, while his range of passing and appreciation of space was a joy to watch. Slovakia simply could not deal with Silva throughout the 90 minutes.

Biggest gaffe

It is always difficult to pick out refereeing decisions, but Slovakia have a right to feel disappointed with Spain's second goal. The away side's goalkeeper came out to meet Costa inside the penalty box, but the clash between the two players was minimal and certainly not all of Kozacik's fault. It was a very harsh award from Slovakia's point of view.

Referee performance

As mentioned, Skomina gave Spain a generous penalty, but aside from that incident, his handling of the match was of a high level. The official only issued two yellow cards and was prepared to let the game flow in the correct areas.

What next?

Spain: La Roja continue their Group C campaign away to Macedonia on Tuesday.

Slovakia: Also on Tuesday, Slovakia will host third-place Ukraine in what is a key match.

Written by
Matt Law