Under-21: Titans almost perfect in the first half, then Spain’s quality tells

A first half to frame and a second with the same generosity but less energy – especially in the final quarter of an hour, when Spain stretches the gap – are, for the Under-21 National Team, the summary of the most fascinating yet at the same time most difficult match of the group. Spurred on by the festive crowd at the Estadio Ángel Carro, group leaders Spain made their intentions clear right from kick-off. Iker Bravo immediately looks for the breakthrough, but cannot get through the first light-blue lines. In any case, La Roja pitch camp in the final 30 metres, relying on their typical prolonged, hypnotic passing. The very first through ball forces Pietro Gasperoni into a superb save: Carvalho, first time, puts Bravo in a position to finish with the goal at his mercy, but the San Marino goalkeeper outdoes himself in the reply. Matteo Cecchetti’s lines move in an orderly, compact way. Spain at times are betrayed by a touch of over-casualness, and it is precisely in those moments that the young Titans push forward. On 7 minutes, Della Balda does superb work in traffic, then opens up for Guerra, who in turn finds the perfectly-timed overlap of Domeniconi: the no.18’s cross is too long. However, San Marino show personality and courage. Not only that: also balance. At the back they concede only the bare minimum: in 10 minutes, just an innocuous header from Jon Martín following a corner. Spain continue to probe and wear down the visitors, but there is little space to exploit. So they also turn to shots from distance. Carvalho and Fresneda Mendoza try in quick succession, but without success. The fourth attempt is the right one, but this is all about the individual brilliance of Jan Virgili: the left-back drives down the flank, cuts inside and curls a right-footed effort that is the perfect blend of power and precision. The ball nestles in the top corner and Amici is powerless, as is the whole San Marino side. No crack in the Sammarinese set-up, just a piece of class to break open a game the Titans are interpreting well. And one they continue to interpret well even after going 1-0 down. Spain knock again on Pietro Amici’s door through Bravo (a shot made awkward by a deflection but dealt with by the Sammarinese keeper), then are forced to come up against the organisation of Cecchetti’s boys. To the extent that Amici barely has to work again, aside from a set piece from Carvalho on the edge of the area (after a lovely back-heel assist from Gonzalo). The rest is a long-range effort from Gonzalo, a header wide by Ramón from one of the very few corners delivered into the box, and a right-footed effort off target from Bravo on a Virgili cut-back. San Marino get back up the pitch towards the end of the half, leaning above all on Della Balda’s technique. 1-0 looks the right scoreline to take into the dressing rooms. But the single minute of stoppage time granted by Ms Rusta hides more than one pitfall. The Sammarinese National Team survive when Riggioni’s desperate intervention is close to turning into an own goal. But then they are punished by yet another shot from distance: taking advantage of a deflection, Carvalho finds the far corner. A cold shower: much more so than the rain lashing the 22 players on the pitch.

At the restart the only changes are in the Spanish eleven. Matteo Cecchetti is satisfied with his side’s first half and confirms them en bloc. One of the new faces, Pablo García, announces himself with a diagonal effort that has the Lugo crowd on their feet but finishes a few metres wide of the far post. Shortly after, however, his touch to finish off a spectacular one-two with Virgili is inch-perfect, as he beats the onrushing Amici and gifts Spain their third goal while securing his own brace. Coach Cecchetti anticipates the hour mark to make his first substitutions. Renzi and Salicioni (making his Under-21 debut) replace Domeniconi and Protti. At the same time, David Gordo throws on Guiu (Chelsea) and Jesús Rodríguez (Como). Meanwhile, Iker Bravo continues his personal running argument with the goal. The Udinese player, under pressure, turns in a flash and unleashes a right-footed strike from the edge of the box that whistles past Amici’s left-hand post. More danger for the Sammarinese goal arrives on 65 minutes, when Jon Martín manages to shoot in the midst of a scramble but cannot pick out the corner with his left foot. It is a difficult spell for the Titans: a minute later, yet another central surge from Iker Bravo throws the last two light-blue lines into disarray. This time the home no.10 does not go for goal himself, instead squaring for García, who swings his left foot but, luckily for Amici and his team-mates, misses the top corner by a fraction. Iker Bravo’s persistence is rewarded on 68 minutes. It all stems, however, from a short back-pass by Casadei: Rodríguez beats Amici to the ball and lays it off for the Udinese man, who only has to open up his foot to guide home the 4-0. The Titans’ reaction is the kind coaches like to see. Salicioni robs the ball on the edge of the final third and releases Della Balda, who quickly sets himself to deliver a cross: a last-ditch touch from Jon Martín prevents Chiaruzzi and his team-mates from shooting on goal from a prime position. Spain’s response comes via a Ramón header from a corner: the Como defender climbs highest but directs it straight at Amici, who saves. San Marino do not lower their gaze. And it is Ciacci who leads the charge: a sharp interception in midfield and a driving run with the ball at his feet earn a tempting free-kick on the edge of the area. The responsibility is left to Salicioni, who goes low but not far enough into the corner: González gets down and holds. In the meantime, Sammaritani has also been handed his debut. The final quarter of an hour arrives, in which Spain change gear. Guiu makes it 5-0, finishing off after Bravo’s lay-off following the usual series of quick interchanges on the edge of the box. Shortly afterwards, Rodríguez breaks into the area courtesy of a ricochet and beats Amici with a diagonal finish. The roja wave does not subside. Rodríguez squares up Guerra and goes down after contact with the Sammarinese defender. Ms Rusta points to the spot, to the Titans’ protests. Pablo García steps up, Amici saves but the Spaniard makes no mistake with the rebound. In stoppage time it takes a goal-line clearance from Renzi and another save from Amici to prevent an already harsh scoreline from becoming merciless. It ends 7-0: full credit to Spain’s quality, but coach Cecchetti is left with the impression of a courageous, disciplined team, ready to face another battle like the one awaiting them next Tuesday against Cyprus.

Under-21, European Championship qualifiers 2027 | Spain – San Marino 7-0

SPAIN (4-3-3)

González; Fresneda, J. Martín, Ramón, Obrador; Carvalho (46’ Canales), Mendoza (69’ M. Martín), Bravo; Mayenda (46’ García), Gonzalo (59’ Guiu), Virgili (59’ Rodríguez)

Substitutes: Esquivel, Jiménez, Mosquera, Valle

Head coach: David Gordo

SAN MARINO (5-4-1)

Amici; Guerra, Domeniconi (59’ Renzi), Ciacci, Riggioni, Bugli (82’ Riccardi); Della Balda, Chiaruzzi (82’ M. Gasperoni), M. Casadei (74’ Sammaritani), Arlotti; Protti (59’ Salicioni)

Substitutes: J. Casadei, Zavoli, Valentini, Cervellini

Head coach: Matteo Cecchetti

Referee: Emanuela Rusta (ALB)

Assistant referees: Ilir Tartaraj and Xhulio Mani (ALB)

Fourth official: Andi Koçi (ALB)

Booked: Della Balda, M. Martín, Cecchetti

Scorers: 19’ and 52’ Virgili, 45+1’ Carvalho, 68’ Bravo, 76’ Guiu, 79’ Rodríguez, 87’ García

Note: on 87’ Amici saves a penalty from García