November 15, (THEWILL) – When Alvaro Morata came off the bench to score a late winner and ensure Spain’s spot in next year’s World Cup, there was plenty to rejoice for the Spanish football team. Spain defeated Sweden 1-0 on Sunday, relegating the Swedes to the qualification playoffs for Qatar.
In Group B, La Roja started the night one point ahead of Sweden, knowing that a point would take them to Qatar. Yet, despite their territorial dominance, Spain failed to trouble Robin Olsen’s goal in the first half, and Sweden created the best two chances, both of which fell to the same player.
Emil Forsberg, who had been given freedom to run and shoot from the edge of the box, missed the target in the 16th minute. With a first-time shot that sailed agonisingly wide of Unai Simon’s far post, the RB Leipzig attacker came even closer again.
After the restart, Spain were almost responsible for their own demise when Cesar Azpilicueta’s errant pass offered Alexander Isak with a golden opportunity, but he chose power above placement and blazed over much to Azpilicueta’s relief.
As the game appeared to open up, the hosts took advantage and Raul De Tomas flicked a header just wide.
Sweden hurled everything at their opponents in pursuit of a match-winner in the final 20 minutes, but it was Luis Enrique’s substitute Morata who made the difference, sliding home the winner in the 86th minute while pouncing on the rebound after Dani Olmo hit the post.
With the win, Spain moves four points clear of Sweden, who must now wait in agony to find out who will face them in the playoffs. Their fate will now be decided in the lottery of the playoffs, but it could, and arguably should, have been a very different story but they have not found the goals due to a self-inflicted profligacy in front of goal.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
