Ta’ Qali (Malta): Alvaro Morata’s remarkable revival continued Tuesday as he scored twice for Spain in a 2-0 victory over Malta here. Morata’s double gave Spain two wins from two in Euro 2020 Qualifiers and the perfect start in Group F.
Meanwhile in Parma, Fabio Quagliarella became the oldest player to score for the country as hosts Italy hammered Liechtenstein 6-0 in another Euro 2020 Qualifier. Quagliarella scored twice from the spot to ensure a facile triumph for the Azzuri.
Luis Enrique’s Spain again showed the inability to convert possession into chances, a deficiency that marked their early exit from last year’s World Cup.
But Morata’s brace offers room for encouragement, the striker extending his return to form since he joined Atletico Madrid on loan from Chelsea in January. He has now five goals in six games, his best return since September 2017, and has strengthened his case for a position that has proved so troublesome for Spain in recent years.
“The boss knows how happy I am to be here and I am grateful to him,” Morata said. “We want to qualify as soon as possible for the Euros so it was important to win today (Tuesday).”
Italy’s facile victory took them to the top of Group J with six points after also beating Finland 2-0 in Udine, Saturday with goals from youngsters Nicolo Barella, 22, and 19-year-old Moise Kean.
Serie A top scorer 36-year-old Quagliarella has earned his recall to Roberto Mancini’s new-look Italy thanks to his 21 goals in 28 league games, two more than Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has managed for Juventus.
And he marked his return for the Azzurri after nearly nine years by converting a penalty on 35 minutes, adding a second, also from the spot, just before the break.
The Sampdoria player at 36 years and 54 days thus became the oldest player to score for Italy, overtaking Christian Panucci who was 35 years and 62 days when he netted in 2008.
“I don’t feel my age, I feel good and I’m very serene,” said Quagliarella, whose career had been blighted by a stalker who forced him to leave Naples in 2010. “It’s a wonderful evening. I want to thank my teammates for making it memorable. After the two goals they encouraged me to get a third one too, but it didn’t happen.”
Earlier Stefano Sensi had headed Italy in front after 17 minutes with Marco Verratti adding a second after 32 minutes. Kean nodded in his second Italy goal on 69 minutes with substitute Leonardo Pavoletti, 30, who got his first Italy start in the second half to replace Quagliarella, adding a sixth.
AFP