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[monks data]
Spain national football team
European Championship | Qualifiers
Mar 27, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Ukraine national football team

1-0

Morata (28')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Player Ratings: Spain 1-0 Ukraine

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during Spain's 1-0 win over Ukraine in their Euro 2016 Group C qualifier.

Spain continued their Euro 2016 qualification campaign with a 1-0 win over Ukraine on Friday.

Juventus forward Alvaro Morata scored the only goal of the match in Seville as Spain moved onto 12 points in Group C. Ukraine, meanwhile, remain third on nine points.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed.


SPAIN

Goal

Iker Casillas: Was not needed in the first period, but made two excellent saves in the second as Spain kept their clean sheet intact. Strong performance from the stopper. (7/10)

Defence

Juanfran: Had plenty of chances to break forward in the first period, but the defender's delivery was not always the best. Solid enough defensively during what was a decent display. (6/10)

Sergio Ramos: Rattled the crossbar with a towering header in the first period and proved a tower of strength down the other end. Helped repel the late pressure from Ukraine. (7/10)

Gerard Pique: Enjoying a fine second half to the season with Barcelona and continued that form here. Strong in the tackle and aerially dominant for the home side. (7/10)

Jordi Alba: Always a threat in a wide area and was impressive during Spain's strong first-half performance. Did not complete the match, however, after pulling a hamstring late on. (7/10)

Midfield

Sergio Busquets: Formed his usual layer of protection in front of the Spain defence. Had a strong first period, but Ukraine won the midfield battle in the second 45 minutes. (6/10)

Koke: Set up Morata for the game's only goal with a super through ball and had a strong game in midfield. Only 23, but now one of Spain's most important players. (7/10)

Isco: Always willing to take possession under pressure and helped create a number of openings throughout the match. One of Spain's better performers on the night. (7/10)

Attack

Andres Iniesta: Has faced some criticism in recent weeks, but responded with a wonderful performance. Absolutely radiated class as he controlled the game from a central area. (8/10)

Alvaro Morata: Was rewarded for a strong first-half performance with his first Spain goal. Showed excellent composure to lift the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper. (7/10)

David Silva: Had a busy first 45 minutes as he floated around the final third, but struggled to influence matters in the second period. Fairly average night. (6/10)

Substitutes

Pedro: Replaced Morata after 65 minutes, but struggled to make an impact. The attacker's lack of first-team football for Barcelona this season cost him a starting role here. (6/10)

Santi Cazorla: Had an excellent chance to secure the points for Spain late on, but fired just wide of the post after excellent combination work with Isco. (6/10)

Juan Bernat: Replaced Alba for the final 10 minutes and slotted effortlessly into left-back. Should now start against Netherlands following Alba's hamstring problem. (6/10)


UKRAINE

Goal

Andriy Pyatov: Might have done a little better with the goal, but made a couple of smart saves in the first period and was also strong from crosses and set pieces. (6/10)

Defence

Artem Fedetskiy: Picked up the game's first booking after 16 minutes and was always walking a tightrope from that moment. Had a difficult first period, but improved in the second. (6/10)

Yevhen Khacheridi: Got caught for the winning goal, but recovered to produce a solid second-half performance. Helped frustrate the hosts in the second 45 minutes. (6/10)

Oleksandr Kucher: Like a number of his teammates, guilty of giving Spain too much respect in the first period, but that changed in the second, where he was very solid indeed. (7/10)

Vyacheslav Shevchuk: Did not have too many chances to break forward in the first period, but was more involved after the break. Kept Silva quiet for long spells. (7/10)

Midfield

Anatoliy Tymoshchuk: Might be 35 years of age, but the midfielder is still such a classy performer. Was always in the right place as he protected the away side's back four. (7/10)

Ruslan Rotan: Had at least three excellent chances in the second period, but could not find the back of the net. Was very impressive for the visitors after the break. (7/10)

Taras Stepanenko: Helped frustrate Spain for long spells, but did not complete the match after picking up a knock in the final 15 minutes. (6/10)

Attack

Andriy Yarmolenko: Much was expected of the attacker, but in truth, the 25-year-old never really delivered. Showed flashes of his brilliance, but never really got into the game. (6/10)

Roman Zozulya: Did not have a sniff in the early stages and was forced off with an injury after just 32 minutes. Not a night to remember for the striker. (5/10)

Yevhen Konoplyanka: Showed bits and pieces in the latter stages when Ukraine were on the front foot, but the attacker could not produce a moment of brilliance for his team. (6/10)

Substitutes

Artem Kravets: Replaced Zozulja after 32 minutes and did well to pick up the pace of the match. Played his part in the second half as he set up Rotan for Ukraine's best chance. (6/10)

Denys Garmash: Helped Ukraine maintain their spell of pressure after entering for the final 15 minutes, but could not make a telling contribution. (6/10)

Pylyp Budkivskiy: Only given the final three minutes and saw little of the ball. (5/10)


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Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque during the Confederations Cup against Italy on June 27, 2013
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