Slovakia and Spain continued their respective Euro 2016 qualification campaigns in Zilina this evening.
The home side led the Group C clash at the interval courtesy of a swerving free kick from Juraj Kucka.
Spain dominated the second period and levelled through Paco Alcacer after 82 minutes, but Slovakia sensationally won it late on courtesy of a header from Miroslav Stoch.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Hello all! Sports Mole's Euro 2016 qualification coverage continues from Zilina this evening as Slovakia welcome Spain. Both sides started their qualification for the tournament in France with three points – Slovakia recorded an impressive 1-0 win in Ukraine, while Spain made light work of Macedonia with a 5-1 success on their own patch.
TEAMS
SLOVAKIA: Kozacik; Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Gyomber; Weiss, Hubocan, Hamsik, Kucka; Mak, Pecovsky
SPAIN: Casillas; Juanfran, Pique, Albiol, Alba; Busquets, Koke, Cesc; Iniesta, Costa, Silva
So there we have it. Some familiar names in the Slovakia XI this evening, with Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel captaining the team. Former Manchester City attacker Vladimir Weiss also starts, while Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik will hope to add to his 11 international goals this evening.
The big team news for Spain is that Diego Costa starts in attack despite concerns over the Chelsea forward's fitness. The Brazilian-born attacker is joined in the final third by Andres Iniesta and David Silva, while Gerard Pique returns to the XI in place of the injured Sergio Ramos. Iker Casillas, meanwhile, skippers the team.
As mentioned, the last time that the two sides met was in November 2005, when the points were shared in a 1-1 draw during qualification for the 2006 World Cup. In total, however, the pair have met in four World Cup fixtures, with Spain remaining unbeaten, including a thumping 5-1 victory.
From 1930 until 1994, Slovakia competed as part of Czechoslovakia and as a result, their experience at major tournaments is extremely limited. They have competed in just one World Cup as an independent nation, but that was a big success as they made the last-16 stage of the 2010 competition in South Africa.
Slovakia, however, have never qualified for the European Championships, missing out in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. In truth, Spain will be expected to top Group C, but second place is very much open, especially with Slovakia beating Ukraine away from home in their first group match.
© Getty Images
Spain, however, have a slightly different international record. They have only once won the World Cup, but have been to every World Cup since 1974. This summer was a big disappointment for La Roja though, with Vicente del Bosque's side crashing out in the group stages of the competition.
Spain, however, are the reigning European champions. In total, they have won the competition on three occasions – 1974, 2008 and 2012. They have won 17 of their last 20 matches at the finals of the European Championships, including all eight of their fixtures in the 2012 competition.
That said, Slovakia will enter this match full of confidence. They have lost just one of their last seven matches in all competitions, winning five times in the process. As touched upon, they opened this qualification section with a 1-0 win in Ukraine – who are seen by many as the favourites to finish second. Little over 30 minutes until kickoff this evening and the atmosphere is building.
Following this match, Slovakia are next in action on Sunday away to Belarus, before travelling to Macedonia next month. In March, they welcome Luxembourg. If the home side can secure a positive result this evening then they will fancy their chances of putting together a decent run of points.
It is worth noting that Slovakia are currently 32 places behind Spain in the FIFA rankings, but since Jan Kozak was appointed in July 2013, Slovakia have lost just three times in 11 matches. One thing is for certain, Spain will know that they have been in a match this evening.
Spain, meanwhile, opened their qualification campaign with a 5-1 win over Macedonia last month. They have, however, lost three of their last five games in all competitions, two of which came at this summer's World Cup. They also lost 1-0 to France in a friendly on September 4.
© Getty Images
That said, Spain have won their last 14 qualifying away games since a 1-1 draw with Iceland in September 2007. They are also unbeaten in their last 17 qualifying away games, with that run of form stretching back to October 2006, when they went down 2-0 in Sweden.
Looking ahead for a moment, following this match, Spain travel to Luxembourg on Sunday. La Roja then face Belarus at home next month and will indeed expect to be sitting top of the group with 12 points by the time that they host Ukraine in March of next year.
Here's a word from Spain and Barcelona attacker Pedro, who is on the bench tonight, ahead of the match: "Slovakia is a difficult opponent. They are in good form and we expect a tough match. But we are determined to bring six points from our away games against Slovakia and Luxembourg (on Sunday)," he told ESPN.
Meanwhile, Slovakia's Robert Mak, who scored the winner against Ukraine last month, said: "We aren't going to stand there and stare at the Spanish players. We want to compete with them and try to make things difficult for them." Kickoff is fast approaching in Zilina...
i suspect that we will find out a lot about just how good this Spain team is this evening. They have had set-backs in recent months, but they still posses a stunning set of players. Can Diego Costa open his account for Spain tonight? It would certainly not be a surprise!
PREDICTION: Make no mistake about it, this is not an easy match for Spain. Slovakia will be up for the test and have the players to harm the European champions. That said, I am backing the away side to emerge victorious tonight with a scoreline of 3-1.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium - let's just hope that the football matches the occasion. Both national anthems have indeed just taken place in Zilina.
The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It is now over to the players. Can Slovakia make it six points from their first two Group C games? Or will Spain move atop the group? It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes of action underway.
It will come as no surprise that Spain have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with all four defenders enjoying early touches. You just get the feeling that the home side will need to be patient and pick their moments to break forward. It should be an exciting affair.
Spain have a free kick in a dangerous position as Gyomber fells Silva in a wide position. The resulting set piece is delivered into the box by Silva, but there are no takers as the ball goes behind for a goal kick. It must be said that the noise levels inside the stadium at the moment are just sensational.
BOOKING! Early booking for the home side as Kucka has his name taken for fouling Busquets.
Short, sharp passing from Spain as they continue to dominate the possession in the final third. However, the home side manage to resist a deep cross from Pique, with Pekarik heading clear. Fabregas delivers the resulting corner towards Costa, but Kozacik is on hand to claim at the vital moment.
Slovakia are doing their best to commit numbers forward, but they are wary of the threat from the away side. The referee, meanwhile, has turned the contest slightly untidy by stopping play at every possible moment. Still goalless with eight minutes on the clock, but Spain are in control of the ball.
It's good work from the home side as Weiss finds space in a wide area before attempting to slide a pass into Hamsik, but the Napoli midfielder cannot collect under pressure from Juanfran. Spain are down the other end with Iniesta moments later, but Pecovsky is across to make a brilliant block.
CHANCE! Brilliant chance for the home side as Pekarik feeds a low cross into Mak, who strikes towards the bottom corner at the first time of asking, but Casillas makes a wonderful save. Weiss and Hamsik are both having a strong influence for Slovakia at the moment.
CLOSE! Wonderful chance for Spain this time as Juanfran finds the head of Costa inside the Slovakia box, but his effort just drops wide of the post. So nearly Costa's first international goal for La Roja.
It has turned into a really good match, with both sides committing numbers in the final third. Iniesta has an effort deflected wide of the post for Spain, before Weiss delivers another dangerous cross into the Spain box. The chances are starting to arrive for both teams with 16 minutes on the clock.
Slovakia have a free kick just outside the box as Busquets brings Durica to the ground...
... GOAL! Slovakia 1-0 Spain (Kucka)
Wow! Slovakia take the lead as Kucka's powerful free kick finds a way past Casillas. It was a powerful strike, but Casillas really should have saved it. Big error from the Real Madrid stopper.
Slovakia have their tails up now as they continue to commit numbers in the final third, with Weiss causing problems in a wide position. Spain, however, cannot keep the ball in the final third. La Roja have a serious task on their hands this evening, but they have a long time to potentially turn this one around.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Spain as the ball eventually falls to Albiol from a corner, but the centre-back fires high and wide of the crossbar from close range. La Roja have started to find their passing in the final third once again, with Slovakia dropping deeper and deeper.
Another half-chance for the away side as Juanfran delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, where Alba is loitering. However, the presence of the home side's goalkeeper allows the ball to drift behind for a goal kick. The atmosphere inside the stadium is just sensational at the moment.
Spain do not too convincing in defensive areas at the moment as the home side continue to threaten in wide positions. La Roja do force a break when Weiss loses possession in the final third, but Costa cannot retain the ball. The free kick tally continues to rise, meanwhile.
Casillas is again forced into action as the Spain stopper dives across his goal to deny an effort from Pecovsky, who has also been bright in the opening 28 minutes of this contest.
Skrtel and Costa are having an interesting battle at the moment, with the former thus far coming out on top. However, Costa has looked very dangerous for Spain thus far. The opening 30 minutes of this international contest have just flown past, with the home side still leading.
Spain's frustration continues as play is stopped in the final third when Fabregas clashes with Kucka. The away side just need to keep their cool, with the referee almost ready to dish out more bookings. Vicente del Bosque looks calm on the Spain bench, but his side are not playing well at the moment.
Spain are playing some good stuff at the moment in and around the home side's box, but they are struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. You just get the feeling that Slovakia need to keep Spain out in the latter stages of the first period if they are to enjoy a fruitful second half.
The referee continues to become involved with each altercation, which is frustrating both sets of players. The crowd do not seem to mind, however, as the atmosphere continues to rise. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and Spain are very frustrated at the moment.
BOOKING! Hubocan is booked for a late challenge on Spain forward Costa.
iniesta is again involved for Spain as the Barcelona midfielder finds space outside the box before striking towards the bottom corner, but Kozacik is on hand to make the save. The resulting corner is delivered towards the far post, but once more the danger is cleared. Still Slovenia lead here.
Spain are not really moving the ball quick enough at the moment as Slovakia continue to break up the away side's attacks in the final third. The referee, meanwhile, continues to become involved as Skrtel and Costa clash once again. The Spain forward just needs to retain some calmness here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances as we approach the final stages of the first period. I suspect that Del Bosque will have some words to say at the interval. It has not really been good enough from the away side despite their dominance of the ball. Slovakia continue to defend Spain set pieces in the final moments of the half.
BOOKING! Silva is booked for Spain for a late challenge on Kucka.
DOUBLE-SAVE! Two wonderful saves from Kozacik as the Slovakia goalkeeper denies Costa and then Busquets from close range following a dangerous Spain corner. The away side are really forcing the issue in the latter stages of the first period that is for certain.
HALF-TIME: Slovakia 1-0 Spain
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Slovakia leading Spain courtesy of a long-range free kick from Kucka. Spain have had their moments in the final third, but have largely struggled to break open a stern Slovakia defence. It is all to play for in the second 45 minutes.
STATS! Spain have dominated the ball with 67% possession, while they have had seven attempts, just one of which has been on target. Slovakia, meanwhile, have had three attempts, all of which were on target. As touched upon throughout the half, it has been a feisty first period in terms of challenges, with three players booked - two for Slovakia and one for the European champions.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Nemec, Guede, Sestak and Stoch. Meanwhile, Spain have the likes of Cazorla, Raul Garcia, Alcacer, Pedro and Rodrigo in reserve - some bench it must be said!
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. You just get the feeling that Slovakia will need to score another goal if they are to win this match. Right, it is the home side that get the second period underway in Zilina. Let's hope for a cracker!
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, Pedro is currently going through a pretty serious warm-up on the sidelines. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this evening - Spain ended the first period on top that is for certain.
Half-chance for Koke as Juanfran sets up his Atletico teammate on the edge of the box, but Skrtel is on hand to make the block. Silva dances into the Slovakia box moments later, but Kozacik is out to save once more. It has been a bright start to the second period from the reigning European champions.
Hamsik tries his luck for the home side after finding some space outside the Spain box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Spain break down the other end with Silva, who feeds Juanfran, but once more the cross is cleared. The pressure is building with 52 minutes on the clock.
SAVE! Another wonderful save from the Slovakian goalkeeper as Fabregas is denied after a low cross from Juanfran. They are getting closer to levelling the scores.
SAVE! Again Kozacik makes a stunning save as the stopper denies Costa after the Spain striker had danced into the box. Wow!
Slovakia just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the away side continue to dominate possession in the final third. Costa is again the target for Koke, but the striker had just moved into an offside position. The home side are preparing to make their first change of the match here.
SUB! Duris enters for Weiss in Slovakia's first change.
Little over 30 minutes of this contest remaining and still Slovakia lead. In truth, the home side have had little in the second period, but Spain cannot find a way past Kozacik in the home side's goal. That said, there is still a long way to go in this match and you have to feel that chances will arrive.
SUB! Attacking change from Spain as Pedro replaces Albiol.
A poor pass from Pekarik almost puts the home side in trouble, but Mak is across to make a stunning challenge on Silva, who had collected the loose ball. The home supporters are in fine voice at the moment, but their side is coming under more and more pressure as we pass the hour mark in this contest.
SUB! The home side make their second change as Stoch replaces Mak.
Possession football from the away side as they continue to pass and probe outside the box, but they are still finding it difficult to really break through the centre. Another cross from Fabregas comes towards Costa, but the Slovakian goalkeeper collects for what seems like the 100th time tonight.
Slovakia have set up camp outside their own box as they continue to repel the pressure, but you just get the feeling that chances will arrive for Spain in the latter stages of the contest. Another attack breaks down, however, when Pique fails to find Pedro from a deep cross. Little over 20 minutes to play.
Skrtel remains strong at the heart of the Slovaklia defence as the Liverpool centre-back wins another header from a corner. Juanfran picks up the pieces outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Del Bosque will be considering making another change with 20 minutes remaining here.
SUB! Second change for Spain as Alcacer replaces Silva.
Slovakia manage to ease some of the pressure with a corner, which raises the noise levels inside the stadium. Another goal for the home team would send the supporters into mayhem. Spain are down the other end passing and probing once more, but once more the danger is cleared by Skrtel.
Spain have just started to deliver high ball after high ball into the home side's box, but they cannot catch a break as Skrtel remains strong in the air. Time is just starting to run out here, while Slovakia are a threat on the counter. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in this international contest.
Stoch has given Slovakia an outlet in the final third, but the winger has been caught offside twice in quick succession. It is almost like a training match at the moment as Spain continue to pass and probe outside the box, with the home team settling back into their defensive shape once again.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Costa as the Spain striker breaks the offside trap before attempting to round the home side's goalkeeper, but once again a save is made. The resulting corner is delivered towards Costa, but the striker loses out and that brings an altercation inside the box.
SUB! Cazorla replaces Juanfran in Spain's third change.
GOAL! Slovakia 1-1 Spain (Alcacer)
Spain are off the hook here! The away side level as Alba feeds a pass into Alcacer, who turns inside the box before finishing into the bottom corner.
SUB! Third and final change for the home side as Kiss replaces Kucka.
Slovakia are doing their best to hold on as Spain continue to force the issue in the final third, but chances are arriving for the away side. There are still around five minutes of normal time remaining and it would take a brave man to back against a goal in the final moments.
GOAL! Slovakia 2-1 Spain (Stoch)
WOW! Slovakia regain the lead in the final moments as Stoch heads a Duris cross into the back of the net from close range. Incredible scenes here!
Half-chance for the away side as Alba meets a cross at the far post, but Skrtel is on hand to make the block. Another cross comes from Fabregas moments later, but Costa heads straight at the goalkeeper.
We are into the second of four additional minutes here and there is a clash involving Costa...
BOOKINGS! Gyomber and Costa are both booked following their clash.
BOOKING! Cazorla is booked for a late challenge on Stoch, who has been brilliant since entering in the second period. Little over one minute of this match remaining.
FULL-TIME: Slovakia 2-1 Spain
Incredible, Slovakia, who are now top of Group C, beat Spain 2-1 this evening courtesy of a late header from Stoch. Just incredible! It is Spain's first defeat in 37 qualifying matches. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
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