Spain defeated Malta 6-0 in a match from Group B of the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying round at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Friday.
The visitors dominated from start to finish scoring three in each half to take home the three points in a most comfortable fashion.
This was the first outing for both sides. Malta had coach Ivan Woods making his debut and the starting line-up included a number of players who featured for the Under-19 national team last July including goalkeeper Hugo Sacco, Jake Vassallo, Mattias Ellul, Benjamin Hili, Andy Borg and Basil Tuma.
Spain had a perfect start, taking the lead after just five minutes when off a cross from the right by Ilias Akomach, Diego Lopez headed home past goalkeeper Hugo Sacco.
On the 14th minute, Akomach delivered a corner from the left, Arnau Martinez headed the ball and off a short clearance, Gabriel Veiga hit low past Sacco.
Four minutes later, Spain scored the third goal when off a cross from the left by Alvaro Fernandez, Gabriel Veiga controlled the ball before hitting home past the Malta custodian.
The Spaniards extended the lead five minutes in the second half when Ilias Akomach concluded a good move with a shot from inside the area which beat Hugo Sacco.
Spain made it 5-0 on the 70th minute when off a cross by Fran Perez from the right, Ivan Monzon headed the ball and Pablo Torre placed the ball at the back of the net.
Two minutes later, Spain scored the sixth goal courtesy of Benat Turrientes who hit home from close range following a cross by Hugo Novoa from the right.
Malta will be in action once again on Tuesday, hosting Hungary at the Tony Bezzina Stadium. Hungary defeated Kazakhstan 2-0 on Thursday.
MALTA Hugo Sacco, Jake Vassallo, Matthew Ellul, Mattia Veselji (65′ Jake Engerer), Benjamin Hili (75′ Nikolai Micallef), Andrea Zammit (87′ Gianluca Sciberras), Alejandro Garzia, Mattias Ellul, Andy Borg, Basil Tuma (75′ Brooklyn Borg), Kurt Bondin (65′ Jake Micallef).
SPAIN Pablo Cuñat, Arnau Martinez (56′ Hugo Novoa), Rafa Marín (65′ Stefan Bajcetic), Alejandro Francés, Ilias Akomach (56′ Pablo Torre), Benat Turrientes (72′ Javi Guerra), Ivan Monzón, Gabriel Veiga (56′ Fran Perez), Alvaro Fernandez, Pablo Barrios, Diego Lopez.
Referee: Lionel Tschudi SUI
Assistant referees: Stephane De Almeida, Matthias Sbrissa SUI
Fourth official: Johannes von Mandach SUI
How many of these players are engaged in first team football? And another observation. Competitive football in Malta has not resumed yet. Lack of match practice play a part in preparation in any sports. You cannot have it both worlds. Too many foreign players are one reason we are not producing. enough young footballers for the future. The clubs dictate. The state of the national team.