Slovakia U21 2–3 Spain U21 Player Ratings: Spain Edge past Hosts Slovakia After an Exciting Contest

Spain stole 3 points away from Slovakia, after a 90th-minute winner by Cesar Tarrega to win 3-2 in the UEFA Euro U21 curtain raiser. Marc Pubill and Mateo Joseph scored from close range to make it 2-0 within the opening quarter of the game. It was the turn of the hosts to score their one-two punch into the game as Samuel Kopasek and Tomas Suslov erased the deficit. The hosts thought they were nearly there, but Spain had the last laugh as Tarrega leapt high to head home from a corner.

Spain started with patience as they passed the ball and kept Slovakia out of play. It reaped rewards as they dragged the hosts out of shape before shaping two identical goals. First, it was right-back Marc Pubill who turned home a low cross from the right side in the 16th minute. Just a couple of minutes later, Mateo Joseph was on the end of Juanlu Sanchez's pass to make it 2-0. A naive opening spell hindered Slovakia who but the hosts improved with some time on the ball. They had a couple of decent efforts that were well dealt with by the Spanish.

The useful momentum from Slovakia translated into goals in the second half. It was the turn of their right-back Kopsek to score after a thumping finish in the 48th minute. Suslov then converted a penalty in the 53rd minute after substitute Hugo Bueno fouled the mercurial Nino Marcelli in the box. Slovakia threatened to take the lead as Spain dropped in intensity after a poor start. The visitors, however, recovered well late on. Tarrega scored a 90th-minute corner to break Slovakian hearts. Here are the Slovakia U21 National Football Team Player Ratings vs Spain U21 National Football Team Player Ratings.

Slovakia U21 National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Lubomir Belko-7/10

He was very proactive to hop off his line and deny a couple of good chances. Was caught in no man's land for both goals conceded. Reacted superbly late on to deny Spain from getting a winner.

Defenders

Samuel Kopasek-7.5/10

Made no mistake as he halved the deficit with a fine run and finish inside the box. This comes after missing a sitter in the first half.

Jakub Jakubko-6/10

Failed to contain Joseph, who gave him the slip for his goal. The striker dominated him even with his back to the goal.

Adam Obert-6/10

His positioning was awful as he was taken out of the frame when two identical balls came into the box and were converted.

Dominik Javorcek-6/10

Couldn't cover the right flank as Spain found joy and kept playing crosses that led to goals eventually.

Midfielders

Tomas Rigo-7.5/10

Tried his luck from outside the box and was well thwarted by the Spanish keeper. He was supreme in tackles in the second half as they turned the tide.

Sebastian Nebyla-6.5/10

He was overwhelmed early on by Spain's technical superiority early on but grew into the game with some purposeful runs. Helped his side complete the comeback.

Tomas Susloav-7.5/10

Earned a yellow card with a poor tackle. Displayed greater forward momentum as he tried to crash the box. Converted a penalty to equalise the game in the second half.

Forwards

Nino Marcelli-8/10

After threatening in the first half, he held the ball and brought Kopasek into action as they scored their first goal. Won a penalty with a tenacious dribble soon after.

Dominik Holly-6/10

Displayed good holdup play as he sparked some counters, but Spain always nipped it in the bud. His presence made the life of wingers easy as he created space for them.

Leo Sauer-6.5/10

Embarrassed himself with a blatant dive outside the box to win a free kick. Did well to create a couple of chances with crosses.

Substitutes

Mario Sauer-6/10

Adrian Kapralik-6/10

Roman Cerepkai-6/10

Manager

Jaroslav Kentos-8/10

His side had a slow start to the game as they struggled to read Spain's ball playing. But once they got the hang of it, they gave a better account of themselves. It showed in the second half as they scored a quickfire double. Heartbreakingly lost the game.

Spain U21 National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Alejandro Iturbe-6.5/10

Got down well to parry Nino Marcelli's effort. His long kicking was particularly impressive. Went the right way but was unable to save the penalty.

Defenders

Marc Pubill-7/10

He always ventured deep into the opposition territory and found himself free to score the first goal of the game. Slovakia found joy attacking down his side as he was too high up.

Cristhian Mosquera-6/10

The centre-back dictated the pace of the game as he suddenly initiated attacks with passes into the front line. He was at fault for the first goal as he misjudged the flight of a long ball, allowing Slovakia to build up and score.

Cesar Tarrega-7.5/10

He was an imposing figure in the backline as he kept the opposition at bay. Failed to apply enough pressure on Kopasek as he scored a fantastic finish. Kept his cool and scored a late winner.

Gerard Martin-6.5/10

He was always available to his wing partner on the overlap and underlap. He was replaced at the halftime break.

Midfielders

Javier Guerra-7/10

His ball-playing skills came to the fore as he swung in dangerous crosses. One such cross hit the post in the buildup to the first goal. Defensively, he was lacking, at Slovakia changed gears.

Benat Turrientes-7/10

The captain orchestrated the entire game as he demanded the ball and made a play. Nearly found the bottom corner with a lovely curler.

Forwards

Juanlu Sanchez-7.5/10

Maintained the width on the right side and helped himself to an assist as he found Joseph with a fine ground cross. Kept on working to give his side the lead again.

Pablo Torre-6/10

Brought on his dancing shoes as he made life hard for the opposition midfield by drifting wide and dropping short to create chances. An injury meant he had to leave the field early.

Diego Lopez-7.5/10

Slid in a fantastic pass to find Pubill in the box, who converted without a mistake. Had to help his defence out a lot in the second half to hold their lead.

Mateo Joseph-7.5/10

Facilitated his side's first goal and got on the end of a square pass to finish from close range to make it 2-0.

Substitutes

Hugo Bueno-3/10

Conceded a penalty with a poor challenge just minutes after coming on, and had very little attacking threat.

Alberto Moleiro-6/10

Raul Moro-6/10

Roberto Fernandez-6/10

Mikel Jauregizar-6/10

Manager

Santi Denia-6/10

His team mirrored the senior side in their intensity and patient buildup before shifting gears and going forward with full force. However, they weren't able to display any sort of calmness in the second half as Slovakia hit back.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Nino Marcelli