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SPORTSSaturday 14 November 2015
Arjen Robben double seals 3-2 win for Netherlands in Wales
CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Ar- utes. 70 through a header from his team to play at the ting the goals for us in the
jen Robben scored twice Joe Ledley equalized for midfielder Emyr Huws. Euros next year, was en- qualification campaign,”
to lead the Netherlands to the hosts on the stroke of But Robben won the couraged by his squad’s Coleman said. “We are
a 3-2 victory against Wales halftime, converting a re- match with his second display despite the defeat. building and these lads
in a friendly match in Car- bound after Netherlands goal in the 81st minute, Wales was missing its two need minutes if they are to
diff on Friday. goalkeeper Jasper Cilless- racing clear of the Wales biggest stars in Gareth come with us to France.”
The Netherlands, which en parried a penalty by defense and slotting past Bale and Aaron Ramsey, Netherlands coach Danny
failed to qualify for next Joe Allen. goalkeeper Owain Fon through injury. Blind was pleased with the
year’s European Cham- Robben restored the visi- Williams with a composed “We scored two goals response from his players
pionship in France, went tors’ lead nine minutes into finish. without Bale and Ramsey, in the team’s first match
ahead through striker Bas the second half, before Wales coach Chris Cole- which is a big thing when since missing out on next
Dost’s header after 32 min- Wales leveled again on man, who is preparing for you look at who was get- year’s championship.q
Spain beats England 2-0 thanks to Gaspar’s superb volley
ALICANTE, Spain (AP) — England’s Ryan Bertrand, left, jumps for the ball with Spain’s Mario Gaspar during an international consecutive European title
Mario Gaspar scored with and England hoping to
a remarkable spinning friendly soccer match between Spain and England at the Rico Perez Stadium in Alicante, Spain, build on its impressive run in
volley from the top of the qualifying.
area to lead Spain to a Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz) Both squads were de-
2-0 win over England in a pleted by injuries, though,
friendly on Friday, handing is not very common,” he England’s 15-game un- and Ireland this year. and couldn’t fully measure
the English their first loss in said. “It was a special beaten streak, which dat- The game in the south- up to expectations. Spain
nearly a year and a half. game for me.” ed back to the 2014 World eastern city of Alicante coach Vicente Del Bosque
After a high pass by Cesc Santi Cazorla sealed Cup in Brazil. It had won 12 featured two teams that was missing Sergio Ramos,
Fabregas in the 71st min- Spain’s victory with a low games, including all 10 in will be under the spotlight Francisco “Isco” Alarcon,
ute, Gaspar swiveled his shot from outside the area Euro 2016 qualifying, and at next year’s European David Silva, Juanfran Torres
body and struck a right- in the 84th. drawn three times, includ- Championship — with and Dani Carvajal, among
footed acrobatic volley The result put an end to ing in friendlies against Italy Spain bidding for a third others, while England man-
to send the ball into the ager Roy Hodgson was
top corner past England without forwards Theo Wal-
goalkeeper Joe Hart, who cott, Alex Oxlade-Cham-
could only watch it fly over berlain, Daniel Sturridge
his outstretched arms. and Danny Welbeck and
“It was one of the best chose not to start Wayne
goals of my life,” Gaspar Rooney.
said. “The ball went where To make things worse for
it had to go. These types of Del Bosque, midfielder
goals don’t come often, Thiago Alcantara had to
but it happened when it be substituted by Cazorla
had to happen.” because of a knee injury
It was the second goal in the 25th, while Hodg-
in as many matches with son lost midfielder Michael
Spain’s national team for Carrick in injury time.
the Villarreal right back. He Spain controlled posses-
had scored in his interna- sion and had most of the
tional debut in a European significant scoring chanc-
qualifier against Ukraine es throughout the match
last month. at the Jose Rico Perez
“I’m thrilled, I know this Stadium.q
Belgium celebrates No. 1 ranking with 3-1 win over Italy
RAF CASERT hen, De Bruyne and Michy Italian leagues too. dreva swooped in ahead And in the 74th, Leonar-
Associated Press Batshuayi in a sparkling And even in the absence of the flatfooted Belgian do Bonucci gave away
BRUSSELS (AP) — Kevin De performance. of injured goalkeeper defense to slot home the the ball in defense and
Bruyne scored one goal By the end of game, Bel- Thibaut Courtois, Simon rebound. De Bruyne capitalized by
and added an assist in gium was toying with the Mignolet proved he is an But the Azzurri couldn’t bouncing it past Buffon.
Belgium’s 3-1 victory over Azzurri, a four-time World adequate replacement live up to their reputa- Belgium capped its
Italy which underscored Cup winner clearly look- with several key saves tion for being the best to comeback when Yannick
its position as FIFA’s top- ing in need of rebuilding when the game was still protect any lead. After Carrasco and Batshuayi
ranked team and further ahead of next year’s tour- tight. 13 minutes, De Bruyne combined through the
established it as a leading nament in France. “I have an excellent goal- placed a curling corner center for another excel-
challenger for next year’s Belgium, meanwhile, con- ie,” Belgium coach Marc kick on the forehead of lent goal.
European Championship. tinues to impress with a Wilmots. the unmarked Vertong- “The spirit of the group
After Antonio Candreva cast of players that domi- Italy took the lead in the hen and the bouncing is perfect,” Wilmots said.
gave Italy an early lead, nate the English Premier third minute when Gra- header from the defender “Collectively, we kept our
Belgium came back with league and have a big ziano Pelle tested Migolet left Gianluigi Buffon with cool, came back, and
goals from Jan Vertong- impact in the French and with a low drive and Can- no chance. won.”q
