Spain’s win is Barca’s loss as Gavi sustains serious injury

Twenty-four hours before Spain’s home game against Georgia in their final Euro 2004 qualifier on Sunday, the Spanish football manager Luis de la Fuentes spoke highly of two of Barcelona’s youngsters, 20-year-old Gavi and 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal.

Spain went into the class with the Georgians, having already secured automatic qualification to the European Championship next year in Germany but still needing to secure victory in a bid to win the group.

Already, the manager had confirmed that Yamal was going to be a part of the fixture while also setting aside special praise for Gavi.

“Gavi is hyperactive. The best players never rest because they want to play everything. Gavi is very young and talented and can play and keep up with the pace, and we are still in November. We will evaluate the situation for tomorrow’s match. We want to win.” Fuentes said.

La Roja did win, but it was not without its sacrifices; the 3-1 was marred by a knee injury that saw Gavi leave the pitch in tears, which now makes him a major fitness issue for Barcelona.

Gavi played just 25 minutes before he was replaced by Athletic Club’s Oihan Sancet. However, this was after Robin Le Normand’s opened the scoring in the fourth minute. 

Kvicha Kvarastkelia scored the equalizer 6 minutes later before Gavi was assisted by Ferran; Torres made it a lead once again with his 55th-minute goal, while a 75th-minute own goal sealed the victory of Spain.

Spain remains top of the table and group winners, while Scotland, who drew 3-3 with Norway, are second league. Cristiano Ronaldo was not with his scoring boots as Portugal beat Iceland 3-0.

Belgium are top of their group, and they showed how they did it as Romerlu Lukaku scored four goals in the first half before Leandro Tossed scored one more to make it 5-0 in stoppage Time.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu