Spain see off Belarus to keep up the pressure on Slovakia

Spain defeated Belarus 3-0 in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Huelva to make it three wins out of four and keep up the pressure on Group C leaders Slovakia.

The hosts started in commanding fashion and almost took the lead with seven minutes on the clock when Santi Cazorla picked out Pedro in a good position and the Barcelona winger curled a low shot inches wide.

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Belarus looked content to park the bus and absorb the pressure, but almost came undone in the 17th minute when Juanfran's cross found the head of Paco Alcacer, whose effort ended up in the arms of a relieved Yuri Zhevnov.

Spain's breakthrough goal 60 second later courtesy of Isco, who gained possession outside of the box and found the top corner with a masterful curler.

Belarus looked rattled and they conceded again straight from the restart, with Sergio Busquets capitalising on a defensive lapse to rifle a shot into the bottom corner and put his team in the driving seat.

The Spaniards almost found their third 10 minutes into the second period when Alcacer's header from Pedro's cross clipped the crossbar on its way behind, but they landed the killer blow moments later.

Juanfran reclaimed possession and sent the ball back into the area, where Pedro was on hand to curl a shot into the top corner and put his side out of sight.

Belarus, who failed to register a shot on target all evening, were beaten convincingly, and it would have been even worse for them had Pedro's last-minute strike hit the back of the net, rather than the woodwork.

The result leaves Spain in second place in Group C, three points behind Slovakia, who are the only team in the pool with a 100% record.