Spain vs. Belarus: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Second-half goals from Xavi and Alvaro Negredo put Spain on course for a win over Belarus and automatic qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but a late fight-back led by former Blackpool attacker Sergei Kornilenko ensured the hosts had to fight until the final whistle to seal the win.

Coming off a fascinating 4-2 defeat to France just over a month ago, Belarus were anything but pushovers in Mallorca and allowed the reigning world and European champions very few openings in front of goal.

Through much of the opening period, Spain passed and probed in search of a meaningful opportunity, but at the whistle, they had managed only a single shot on target, despite 79 per cent possession.

Yegor Filipenko, Dmitri Verkhovtsov and Aleksandr Martynovich were heroic in the centre of the visitors’ three-man defense, and Jan Tigorev and Stanislav Dragun harassed and harried the Spanish ball-carriers throughout the 90 minutes.

But shortly after the hour-mark, Spain had their opener.

Filipenko, in an attempt to clear Gerard Pique’s clever cutback from wide of the left, accidentally headed the ball into the path of Xavi, who charged onto it and smashed a confident finish past a helpless Aleksandr Gutor.

Spain seemed considerably more comfortable from there, and 17 minutes later, they had an insurance marker courtesy of Negredo, who had replaced the debutante Michu in the 57th minute.

Pedro began the buildup play with a no-look, backheeled pass to Sergio Ramos on the right flank, and the Madrid defender played an inch-perfect cross into the goalmouth that Negredo dove onto and headed into the back of the net.

It appeared as though Spain would cruise to the three points until Kornilenko pulled one back for Belarus.

Running onto Sergei Krivets’ long ball the forward held off the challenge of Sergio Busquets before sliding the ball past Spain goalkeeper Victor Valdes at the far corner.

 

Key Player Grades

Xavi Hernandez: A-

He touched the ball 145 times and completed a ho-hum 95 per cent of his passes against Belarus. And while a handful of uncharacteristic giveaways in the attacking third seemed to dampen his performance, he managed to find the initial opening that put Spain on course for the win and first place in Group I.

Pedro: A

He didn’t find the back of the net, and he won’t be credited with an assist for his work on the Negredo strike, but the Barcelona man was Spain’s best attacker on Friday. Operating from both the left and the right, he also made an impressive defensive contribution, rushing back into his own half of the pitch to make a pair of key tackles and turn play back downfield.

Maksim Bordachev: B-

The Belarus full-back had a running battle with Pedro for much of the encounter and surprisingly held his own. His side rarely threatened in attack, but more than once, Bordachev made something happen down the left and generally outplayed Alvaro Arbeloa over the course of the 90 minutes.

What’s Next?

Spain, presently atop Group I with 17 points—three more than France—will look to put the finishing touches on World Cup qualification when they entertain Georgia in Albacete on Tuesday. Belarus, who complete the qualification cycle at the bottom of the bracket, will face Japan in a friendly on Tuesday.

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com.