Slovakia vs. Spain: Winners and Losers from Euro 2016 Qualifier

Slovakia pulled off one of the big shock results of the European Championships, qualifying on Thursday night when they beat Spain 2-1 in Zilina.

Juraj Kucka and Miroslav Stoch scored on either side of a Paco Alcacer equaliser to give Slovakia the big three points and send them to the top of Group C, with Spain suffering their first qualification-match defeat in eight years in the process.

Here are all the winners and losers from the game as Spain continue to stutter after their 2014 World Cup disappointment.

Winners: Skrtel and Durica

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

Slovakia's central defenders, Jan Durica and Martin Skrtel, were simply superb on the night.

Spain didn't have too many clear chances largely because of the responsibility taken on by these two to constantly squeeze play and then drop deep at the right times—their combined ability to make clearances remains consistent and diligent in their work throughout.

The one clear chance on goal that Spain managed, Paco Alcacer's goal, was offside and shouldn't have stood.

Loser: Iker Casillas

ANDREAS SCHAAD/Associated Press

The established order of Spain's goalkeeping trio has suffered a shake-up post-World Cup, but Iker Casillas remains the No. 1. There are plenty of people who believe he should have stepped aside by now—and those claims won't be getting any quieter after another howler from the Real Madrid goalkeeper.

Utterly bamboozled by a swerving free-kick, Casillas dived out of the way of the ball which actually headed straight for him from a Juraj Kucka shot, ending with the ball in the back of the net and a 1-0 lead for Slovakia at half-time.

It didn't get any better, as Casillas conceded another near the end of the game—not really his fault, but certainly not owing anything to his lack of dominance of the area—as Spain lost 2-1.

Winner: Matus Kozacik

Czarek Sokolowski/Associated Press

While San Iker was making his 158th cap, his opposite number, Matus Kozacik, was making just his sixth appearance in the national team jersey.

The Viktoria Plzen goalkeeper pulled off a string of saves in the opening hour of the game to keep his team ahead, notably a low save to deny Diego Costa and a double stop just after the break as Spain sought to draw level via a series of corners.

He was only beaten by Alcacer's strike—which should have been judged offside—and was one of the big reasons for Slovakia taking the three points.

Loser: Vicente del Bosque's Defence

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

It's not just Casillas who perhaps needs to be taken out of the team now, but the Spain manager should probably reshuffle his entire back line.

Jordi Alba is a standout candidate at left-back despite the competition for places in that area. But Raul Albiol has not been a truly top-level defender even at his best, and Gerard Pique is no longer even a first choice at Barcelona.

Sergio Ramos was an obvious miss, but Spain need to alter the makeup of this team, as it has not corrected the wrongs of the World Cup.

Winner: Paco Alcacer

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

His goal might have counted for little in the end, but Paco Alcacer has firmly placed himself as a squad player for Spain now with his form this season and two goals in two qualifying matches at international level.

Alcacer was one of the few bright spots for Spain, who he feels will learn plenty from the defeat.

Per UEFA, Alcacer said: "There's still a lot of games left to turn this result around. This defeat will help to ensure that this doesn't happen again."

Whether the 21-year-old is used as a starter or, as against Slovakia, an option off the bench, he is clearly comfortable within the international setup. And for all the talk of change within the side, he is one of two youngsters—along with Koke—to have actually forced his way into the reckoning.

Diego Costa was involved and impressive and was only denied a first Spain goal by some fine goalkeeping. But Spain need more than just one forward to call upon, and Alcacer has shown again he has something to offer his national side. Don't bet against him having even more of an impact throughout the qualifiers.

Follow @karlmatchett