Spain faced Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sunday in the first of three international friendlies before the reigning European champions open their Euro 2016 challenge against Czech Republic on June 13.
Nolito scored twice inside 18 minutes to send Spain into a comfortable lead in Switzerland, but Emir Spahic hit back for Bosnia in the 29th minute.
Spahic did not complete the half, however, after seeing red in the final seconds of the first period following an altercation with Cesar Azpilicueta.
Both teams had chances in the second 45 minutes, but it was Spain that grabbed a third late on through Pedro.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live international coverage continues from the AFG Arena in St. Gallen, Switzerland as Spain face Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly. Spain are building towards Euro 2016, but Bosnia's attention will be on their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, which officially gets underway in September. It should be a really good test for Vicente del Bosque's side here.
Tonight will be the seventh time that Spain and Bosnia have clashed in international football. Spain have recorded four wins during that run, while the final two clashes have finished level. Their last meeting was during qualification for the 2010 World Cup, when Spain recorded a 5-2 win away from home.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Just a reminder that Spain are without a number of their squad due to the Champions League final in Milan between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid last night. Right, let's have a look who has made it...
TEAMS:
SPAIN: Asenjo; Bellerin, San Jose, Bartra, Azpilicueta; Bruno, Asensio, Fabregas; Silva, Aduriz, Nolito
BOSNIA: Begovic; Vranjes, Spahic, Zukanovic, Kolasinac; Besic, Hadzic, Visca, Pjanic; Hodzic, Dzeko
Unfamiliar look about the Spain XI this afternoon, but it is still a team full of quality. As mentioned, none of those that were involved in the Champions League final take part, while there are also no Barcelona players in the side. There is a debut at right-back for Arsenal's Hector Bellerin though, while Real Madrid youngster Marco Asensio also debuts in midfield. Up top, Artiz Aduriz will be joined by Nolito and Cesc Fabregas is the most experienced member of the XI having earned his 103rd cap last time out.
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As for Bosnia, Roma pair Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic are both included, while there is a spot in midfield for Everton's Muhamed Besic. Dinamo Zagreb's 21-year-old striker Armin Hodzic will earn his first cap in the final third, while Emir Spahic will win his 89th international cap from centre-back. It is a team full of experienced players at this level of football and it will be a stern test for Spain.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now little under 15 minutes from kickoff on this mild late afternoon in Switzerland. As mentioned, Spain are building towards their Euro 2016 challenge, which officially gets underway against Czech Republic in Toulouse on June 13. The holders will enter the tournament as one of the favourites to triumph - that is for sure.
Spain have actually drawn their last two international friendlies against Italy and Romania, but have not lost since suffering a 2-0 defeat to Netherlands in their disastrous 2014 World Cup campaign, when they failed to make it out of the group stages. La Roja have won the last two editions of the European Championships, however, and will be confident of challenging once again.
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This is the first of three international friendlies before the competition begins in France next month. La Roja will take on Korean Republic on Wednesday, before welcoming Georgia on June 7. Six days later, they will face Czech Republic in a group that also includes Turkey and Croatia.
As for Bosnia, Mehmed Bazdarevic's finished third in Group B during qualification for Euro 2016. That was enough to make it through to the playoffs, but they lost out to Republic of Ireland and have therefore missed out on the chance to compete in the latest European Championships.
The Dragons will take on Denmark in another friendly on June 3 and are then not back in action until September, when they will begin their qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup against Estonia. In the 2014 competition, Bosnia failed to make it out of the group stages after suffering two defeats.
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KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. This will be a real test of Spain's credentials ahead of Euro 2016 - Bosnia kick things off here...
... SAVE! Opportunity for Spain inside two minutes as Aduriz finds space inside the Bosnia box, but his close-range effort is saved by Begovic. Fast start from Spain to this contest.
It has been a bright start from both teams as Bosnia enjoy a period of possession inside the Spain half. Just a reminder that Spain are without a number of their usual XI due to last night's Champions League final, but this match will give a number of players the chance to impress.
Not too much to report in terms of Bosnian chances in the early moments, but they are smart in possession of the ball as Pjanic continues to drop deep and pick up pockets of space. The Roma midfielder looks for club teammate Dzeko, but Asenjo is out to collect and Spain regain the ball.
Spain dominate possession in a lot of football matches, but that is not the case at the moment here. It is Bosnia in control of the ball and looking to open up this inexperienced Spain defence. Aduriz's early effort on goal remains the closest that either side have come inside nine minutes.
GOAL! Spain 1-0 Bosnia (Nolito)
What a super goal that is! Spain take the lead in the 11th minute of action as Nolito collects a loose header inside the Bosnian box before bending his effort into the top corner via the crossbar!
Risky challenge from Besic as the Everton midfielder drives into Fabregas and the referee is forced to award a free kick. The goal has lifted Spain, who are now popping the ball about with style.
Nolito is expected to be included in Del Bosque's final selection for Euro 2016 and that wonderful opening goal will have surely cemented his spot. The Celta Vigo attacker is full of energy in the final third as Spain continue to threaten. Bosnia have just slowed down a bit since the opening goal.
GOAL! Spain 2-0 Bosnia (Nolito)
Oh my goodness! Super, super goal! Nolito spots Begovic off his line and simply lifts the ball over the Bosnian goalkeeper. He had no right to score from that angle, but it his second of the match.
BOSNIA SUB! Dzeko leaves the field for Duric. Looks to be an injury!
SAVE! Begovic gets down to keep out a low strike from Aduriz.
This might be a friendly, but there is a really good atmosphere inside the stadium tonight and both sets of players are feeding off the noise. Challenges flying in from all over the place here!
Asensio finds space down the left before attempting to deliver into the Bosnia box, but Kolasinac is on hand to make the block and Bosnia can clear their lines. Not too much for Spain to worry about defensively at the moment as Bosnia continue to struggle in the final third of the field.
GOAL! Spain 2-1 Bosnia (Spahic)
Game on! Strong work from Visca forces a corner and Spahic is up from the back to head into the top corner! Not too sure about the Spain defending on that particular set piece it must be said.
Sometimes friendlies can be a little dull, but that has not been the case in this one. Both teams are committing players each time they break forward and I can only see more goals occurring here.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Spain lead this friendly 2-1. Nolito scored twice for La Roja inside 18 minutes, but that header from Spahic has boosted Bosnia. Just a reminder that Spain open their Euro 2016 challenge against Czech Republic on June 13.
Risky challenge from Vranjes as the Bosnian defender dives into Silva inside the box, but the full-back makes strong contact with the ball. That said, he does himself some harm and remains on the deck receiving some treatment. Silva had been released inside the box by a smart Aduriz pass.
Dzeko has some strapping on his knee after exiting early on and that does not look too good! Bosnia are not actually in Euro 2016, however, and therefore Roma will be more concerned.
Smart work from Bellerin in a wide position, but the defender's cross is fired over by Aduriz, who has not yet managed to make his mark in the final third. Still 2-1 Spain with 41 minutes played.
Couple of nervy moments for the Bosnia defence in the last couple of moments, but neither Nolito nor Aduriz can scramble free inside the box and Begovic is back with possession of the ball.
RED CARD! SPAHIC!
Oh my word! Bosnia have been reduced to 10 men as Spahic is sent off following an altercation with Azpilicueta. The incident started when Vjanes stopped Silva taking a quick throw and it all kicked off from there. It is unclear what actually happened, but Spahic made contact with Azpilicueta!
HALF-TIME: Spain 2-1 Bosnia
What an eventful first period! Spain led 2-0 inside 18 minutes courtesy of a double from Nolito, but Spahic made it 2-1 in the 29th minute. That looked to be the last major incident of the first period, but Spahic saw red in first-half stoppage time to leave Bosnia with a mountain to climb here!
STATISTICS! The two teams had an equal share of possession in the first 45 minutes, but Spain had six shots to Bosnia's two. Four of Spain's six attempts were on target, while Bosnia hit the target on two separate occasions. As mentioned, Spahic picked up a red card in the 47th minute of action.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. More of the same from the first please! It is Spain that resume the action in Switzerland...
... SPAIN SUB! Pedro has replaced Aduriz in the Spain attack.
SPAIN SUB! Denis Suarez also replaces Silva in the Spain team.
BOSNIA SUB! Hajrovic for Visca was the only Bosnian change at the break.
Smart goalkeeping from Asenjo as the Spaniard comes out to clear ahead of Hajrovic, who looked favourite to beat both Asenjo and Bartra to the ball. It has been a very open start to the second period and I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in Switzerland tonight.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Asenjo as the Spanish goalkeeper keeps out a close-range effort from Djuric. Down the other end, Pedro clips and fires wide of the post. End-to-end!
Pjanic goes down just outside the Spain box, but the referee is not interested, much to the frustration of the Roma midfielder, who smacks the ground in frustration. Bosnia continue to move the ball quickly in the final third, but Spain now have pace on the counter through Suarez and Pedro.
Half-chance for Bosnia once again, but Hajrovic cuts inside and fires wide of the post.
BOSNIA SUB! Duljevic replaces Hodzic for Bosnia.
Just to recap - Spain have thus far made two changes, while Bosnia have made three. Both managers have six permitted changes in this match. Bosnia are the team with 10 men, but they are keeping hold of the ball at the moment and finding it straightforward to deal with Spain's threat.
SPAIN SUBS! Triple change for Spain as Del Bosque makes it five alterations from the same that started. Inaki Williams, Diego Llorente and Oyarzabal replace Asensio, Fabregas and Nolito.
Oyarzabal finds a yard of space outside the Bosnia box and tries his luck, but Vranjes is on hand to make the block and Besic can carry the ball forward for the team in blue. Still 2-1 Spain here.
Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in Switzerland and Bosnia are doing their best to force the issue in the final third. Spain are full of fresh legs, however, and continue to close the space.
Half-chance for Inaki Williams after a low cross from the left, but the Athletic Bilbao attacker gets the ball stuck under his foot and cannot release a strike. Plenty happening all over the park.
POST! A cross from Duljevic goes all the way through and actually hits the outside of the post. Asenjo was nowhere near it and that could have been 2-2 here!
CLOSE! Again Bosnia come close as Duljevic whips one towards the far corner, but his effort is just wide of the post. Asenjo might have got the slightest of touches on the ball!
Little under 20 minutes of football remaining and it must be said that Bosnia, 10-man Bosnia, are really threatening an equaliser. Spain just cannot seem to get hold of the ball at the moment.
Better from Spain in the last couple of minutes as they enjoy possession of the ball.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Oyarzabal to score on his debut, but the youngster can only place his effort wide of the post from a narrow angle! Would have been special!
BOSNIA SUB! Grahovac replaces Djuric for Bosnia.
The Bosnia supporters are making most of the noise at the moment as their team continues to impress in the final third. It must be said that this has been an excellent game of football.
Inaki Williams has been nice and bright since entering in the second period and continues to make the most of the space in the Bosnia half of the field. Most of the pressure is coming from Bosnia though as they seek an equalising goal. It seems a long time ago that Nolito broke the deadlock!
SPAIN SUB! Fornals replaces San Jose for Spain.
Little under five minutes of normal time remaining and it remains 2-1 Spain.
BOSNIA SUB! Memisevic replaces Vranjes for Bosnia.
Four additional minutes to be played at the end of the 90 here.
Time is running out for Bosnia and Spain have possession of the ball with 93 on the clock.
GOAL! Spain 3-1 Bosnia (Pedro)
Begovic keeps out a close-range strike from Williams, but Pedro is on hand to finish for 3-1!
FULL-TIME: Spain 3-1 Bosnia
So there we have it. Pedro makes sure for Spain in the final minute as the European champions record a 3-1 win over Bosnia in Switzerland - what a thoroughly entertaining match that was! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. See you again soon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
