Spain’s attack gets stuck against Norway and the Hispanics are left with no margin for error to qualify for the quarterfinals
Spain Qualification for the quarterfinals of the World Cup has been complicated after losing to a Norwegian team that, despite not reaching its best moment, punished the irregularity of the national team. Those of Jordi Ribera They had a good first half, but ran out of steam in the second half. In the second phase, the ‘Hispanics’ They no longer have any margin for error. The defeat against Norway has been like a shot in the foot and each game for Spain will be a match ball. Portugal will be the first obstacle, while if they win, the pass will be decided against Brazil. The defeat took place in the second half when the Spanish players failed to be successful in front of goal. Spain, which led by four, conceded a 4-9 partial in the final minutes that caused the first defeat in the World Cup. A result that few could have predicted with twenty minutes remaining with the five goals advantage (14-19) that the Spanish team had, whose attack was choked with seven field players that the Nordic team proposed in the final stretch. Quite a setback for Spain, which, aware of the delicate situation in which the hosts arrived at the event, who had zero points in their locker, seemed willing to exploit the nervousness of the Norwegian team with a forceful start to the game. Spain, from more to less To do this, Jordi Ribera did not hesitate to bet on the presence of the brothers. Dujshebaev who responded to the coach’s confidence with three consecutive goals from Dani, the youngest of the saga. An offensive efficiency that allowed the Hispanics to take a two-goal lead (1-3) that seemed like it could make Norway falter, very touched after its bad first phase. But it was the Spanish team itself that was in charge of rescuing the Nordic from his doubts with several untimely losses of the ball that allowed Norway to run. A circumstance that condemned Spain to see how those of Jonas Wille Not only did they erase their disadvantage, but they turned the score around 4-3 in just two minutes. It was enough, however, for those from Ribera to minimize their offensive mistakes led by a spectacular Alex Dujshebaev, who took over the scoring from his little brother, so that the ghosts would appear again to the Norwegian team. Forced to attack statically, the local players began to get more and more entangled in the defensive framework of the Spanish team, which with legs and more legs took the Nordics to the brink of passiveness in each of their offensives. The ideal breeding ground for Norway’s mistakes to emerge, which Spain did not forgive and punished with several consecutive counterattacks to lead by two goals (9-11) with just over ten minutes to go before half-time. Sagosen, the key to the match But the goalkeeper’s emergence Andre Kristensenwhich made three consecutive stops, prevented the escape of the Spanish team, which increasingly firm in defense managed, despite everything, to go into the break with a lead of three goals (10-13) on the scoreboard. The Hispanics managed to extend that difference to five (13-18) thanks to a sensational defensive work, in which the young man shone again, as happened against Sweden. Ian Barrufetand the goals of Imanol Garciandia which, with its cannon shots, unblocked the Spanish attack. However, there was still a lot for those from Ribera to suffer, as he was responsible for remembering. Norwegian star Sander Sagosenwhich seemed to be resurrected with the move to attack with seven field players proposed by the Nordic coach. A change that stuck for Spain, which saw its advantage reduced to just one point (21-22) with just over ten minutes remaining, forcing Ribera to urgently request a time-out. Petar Cikusa tries to escape the pressure of the Norwegian players. EFE
