Match ends, Spain 1, Ukraine 0.
Alvaro Morata on target as Spain beat Ukraine
- From the section European Football
Alvaro Morata scored the only goal of the game as Spain claimed a crucial victory over Ukraine in Euro 2016 qualifying Group C.
Juventus striker Morata, on his first start for Vicente del Bosque's side, netted with a deflected effort to give Spain sole possession of second spot.
Spain are now three points clear of third-placed Ukraine in the pool.
They remain three behind group leaders Slovakia who eased to a 3-0 win over bottom side Luxembourg.
Morata, who spearheaded Spain's attack in the absence of injured Chelsea striker Diego Costa, provided the decisive moment in the 28th minute.
The former Real Madrid forward, 22, latched on to an exquisite pass from Atletico Madrid playmaker Koke and his shot took a slight deflection before looping over Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov into the net.
Adam Nemec, Vladimir Weiss and Peter Pekarik were all on target for Slovakia against Luxembourg as they maintained their 100% record in qualifying while the group's other game saw Belarus fight back from a goal down to win 2-1 away in Macedonia.
Elsewhere, Austria remain top of Group G after a 5-0 win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz thanks to goals from Martin Harnik, Marc Janko, David Alaba, Zlatko Junuzovic and Stoke's Marko Arnautovic.
The victory means Austria stay four points clear at the top of the table, with second-placed Sweden keeping the pressure on with a 2-0 win against Moldova after Zlatan Ibrahimovic's brace.
Russia's clash in Montenegro was abandoned in the second half, with the scoreline goalless, while Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was injured after he was hit by a flare in the first minute of the game.
In England's group, second-placed Slovenia cruised to a 6-0 win over San Marino and are level on points with Switzerland who clinched a 3-0 win over Estonia.
Line-ups
Spain
- 1Casillas
- 16Torres Belén
- 3Piqué
- 15RamosBooked at 50mins
- 18AlbaSubstituted forBernatat 78'minutes
- 8Koke
- 5Busquets
- 6IniestaSubstituted forCazorlaat 74'minutes
- 21Silva
- 7MorataSubstituted forPedroat 65'minutes
- 22Isco
Substitutes
- 2Albiol
- 4Bartra
- 9Juanmi
- 10Fàbregas
- 11Pedro
- 12Carvajal
- 13de Gea
- 14Suárez
- 17Bernat
- 19Machín Pérez
- 20Cazorla
- 23Asenjo
Ukraine
- 12Pyatov
- 17FedetskiyBooked at 16mins
- 3Khacheridi
- 5KucherBooked at 72mins
- 13Shevchuk
- 4Tymoshchuk
- 6StepanenkoSubstituted forGarmashat 76'minutes
- 7Yarmolenko
- 14Rotan
- 10Konoplyanka
- 8ZozulyaSubstituted forKravetsat 32'minutesBooked at 54minsSubstituted forBudkivskyat 90+1'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Boyko
- 2Burda
- 9Gusev
- 11Oliynyk
- 15Budkivsky
- 16Morozyuk
- 18Bezus
- 19Garmash
- 20Rakitskiy
- 21Rybalka
- 22Kravets
- 23Rybka
- Referee:
- Cüneyt Çakir
- Attendance:
- 28,000
Match Stats
Home TeamSpainAway TeamUkraine
- Possession
- Home67%
- Away33%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away2
- Corners
- Home2
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away24
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Spain 1, Ukraine 0.
Hand ball by Denis Garmash (Ukraine).
Foul by David Silva (Spain).
Yevhen Khacheridi (Ukraine) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
David Silva (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Olexandr Kucher (Ukraine).
Isco (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Yevhen Khacheridi (Ukraine).
Foul by Juanfran (Spain).
Yevhen Konoplyanka (Ukraine) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Ukraine. Pylyp Budkivsky replaces Artem Kravets because of an injury.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Sergio Ramos (Spain) because of an injury.
Delay in match Artem Kravets (Ukraine) because of an injury.
Attempt missed. Santiago Cazorla (Spain) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Isco with a through ball.
Isco (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Artem Fedetskiy (Ukraine).
Attempt missed. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (Ukraine) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Andriy Yarmolenko.
Isco (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ruslan Rotan (Ukraine).
Attempt blocked. Koke (Spain) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Juanfran with a cross.
Sergio Busquets (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Denis Garmash (Ukraine).
Sergio Busquets (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Denis Garmash (Ukraine).
Corner, Ukraine. Conceded by Gerard Piqué.
Foul by Pedro (Spain).
Yevhen Khacheridi (Ukraine) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Spain. Juan Bernat replaces Jordi Alba because of an injury.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Jordi Alba (Spain) because of an injury.
Substitution
Substitution, Ukraine. Denis Garmash replaces Taras Stepanenko because of an injury.
Isco (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Viacheslav Shevchuk (Ukraine).
Attempt missed. Sergio Ramos (Spain) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Koke with a cross following a corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Spain. Santiago Cazorla replaces Andrés Iniesta.
Corner, Spain. Conceded by Viacheslav Shevchuk.
Booking
Olexandr Kucher (Ukraine) is shown the yellow card.
Attempt missed. Sergio Ramos (Spain) header from a difficult angle on the left misses to the left. Assisted by David Silva following a set piece situation.