Spain vs. Sweden – Football Match Report – November 14, 2021
Spain qualified for next year’s World Cup finals in Qatar by beating visiting Sweden 1-0 thanks to a late winner by substitute Alvaro Morata on Sunday.
Spain, who won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, finished top of Group B with 19 points, four ahead of the Swedes in second place, who could still qualify for the playoffs in March.
“I felt more pressure now in the European Championships,” said Spain coach Luis Enrique, whose team lost to eventual winners Italy on penalties in this year’s European Championship semi-final.
“We tried to work hard on the mental side, always tried to keep it positive and the players responded well. I’m so proud of them and how they responded.”
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Morata struck in the 86th minute when he skillfully lifted the ball over Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen after Dani Olmo’s fierce long-range drive came back from the post in his path.
Spain, who played in front of 52,000 fans at the sold-out La Cartuja Stadium, had never lost a home match in the World Cup qualifiers and kept their record intact in Sevilla.
They had only lost four of 52 matches in the city.
“We knew it was a life-and-death situation and we wanted to qualify at all costs. Nobody said it would be easy and I am happy for our people,” Sergio Busquets told reporters.
It was a nervous event and even though Spain dominated the game, the Swedes created the best opportunities through dangerous Emil Forsberg and Alexander Isak on the counterattack.
“It feels sour. I think we played a good first half and created chances, but the ball did not want to enter. It was not our day.” said Forsberg to reporters.
After playing the full 90 minutes in Sweden’s 2-0 loss against Georgia on Thursday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic started on the bench and made some impact when he came in during the last 20 minutes.
The match seemed to go towards a draw, which would have been enough to take Spain to the final, when Olmo’s fantastic shot returned from the woodwork to Morata, who had come in just before the hour mark, and he put the ball in calmly. net.
It will be Spain’s 16th appearance in 22 World Cups and the last time they did not qualify was in 1974.