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Spain 4 - 0 Luxembourg : Santi Cazorla and Paco Alcacer doubles help Spain claim Euro 2016 spot

Friday, October 09, 2015 Source: PA

Santi Cazorla and Paco Alcacer scored a brace each as Spain confirmed their qualification for Euro 2016 with a 4-0 win over Luxembourg.

Spain had to survive two first-half injury blows, as first David Silva hobbled off to be replaced by Juan Mata, before Alvaro Morata was stretchered off to give Alcacer his chance.

And the Valencia man did not disappoint, scoring twice in the second half, before Cazorla, who had netted in the first half, rounded up a superb night, the hosts having beaten Luxembourg by the same scoreline earlier in Group C.

Spain were unbeaten in 31 home qualifiers prior to Friday, but could have been ruing their inability to take their chances, or even to beat the offside trap on several occasions.

Morata and Jordi Alba both missed attempts, the latter from close range which he looped over when scoring seemed easier.

In the meanwhile, Silva produced plenty of concern for Manchester City fans when he limped away, having initially tried to run off a leg injury.

Cazorla struck the woodwork on 21 minutes before Spain were then forced into another change when Morata was stretchered off, holding his head in despair as he exited.

Luxembourg may have harboured hopes of just about holding out, and were given a boost when Stefano Bensi's shot from a fair distance had Iker Casillas diving to his left.

But La Roja settled their own nerves more than anything else four minutes before the break as Cazorla slotted home a rebound shot, this after Luxembourg goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert made an excellent save from a Pedro effort.

It looked a bit scrappy at the start of the second half, with Pedro and Kevin Malget sharing yellow cards for their part in a minor altercation.

It needed another Chelsea man in Cesc Fabregas to clear home heads as he threaded the perfect through ball down the middle for Alcacer who fired low past the on-rushing Joubert.

Ten minutes before the end, Alcacer capped his memorable night from the bench with the easiest of tap-ins, Alba doing well to not give up the ball at the touchline.

Cazorla drilled home five minutes from time and there was still some time for Sergio Busquets to go for a fifth Spanish goal, though the last-gasp effort would go wide.

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