Ayoze Perez won’t stop scoring! Spain star strikes again after setting up Mikel Oyarzabal as Euro 2024 champions beat Denmark to win Nations League group

The reigning champions found themselves pinned in their own half, with the hosts calling the shots in the first few minutes. But once they settled down and started playing through the high press, they looked like an unstoppable force. Crisp passing, fast build-up and an affinity to go directly for goal, they harassed Denmark’s defence as they ran out of wits to stop them from knocking on Kasper Schmeichel’s goal.

In the 13th minute, Perez hit the woodwork and a couple of minutes later, Mikel Oyarzabal drew first blood after being set up by the Villarreal striker. Even after taking the lead, Luis de La Fuente’s men did not take their feet off the pedal as they sliced through Denmark’s high press time and again in their search for the insurance goal. Dani Olmo was a bright spark in the No.10 role as he kept pulling the strings supported by Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi.

In the second half, Spain kept asking questions of Denmark’s nervy defence and just before the hour mark Perez doubled the lead. Olmo threaded in a perfectly weighted pass for Ayoze who slotted the ball into the net, leaving Schmeichel rooted to the spot. The striker should have had his brace as he found himself in a one-on-one position with the keeper but his attempted chip failed to hit the target. In the final quarter, Denmark finally started to make inroads and were soon rewarded for their intense pressing with Gustav Isaksen pulling one back after a defensive lapse involving Fabian Ruiz and David Raya. However, it was too little to salvage a point as they went down after a frustrating evening at home.

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  THE MVP

  Perez is having a sensational campaign with Villarreal, having scored 10 goals in 10 matches, and he made sure to carry his club form to the international stage. He assisted Oyarzabal for the opener, scored the second for his team, and was a constant menace for the Denmark defenders until he was hooked off late in the second half.

  THE BIG LOSER

  The Danish fans flocked to the Parken Stadium in numbers to cheer for the hosts as they believed that Christian Eriksen and Co would prevail over the holders to extend their 29-month unbeaten run at home. But alas, they left it too late and Isaksen’s opportunistic strike was not enough to earn them a point.

  WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Spain will host Switzerland next at Tenerife on the final matchday of the Nations League group stage on November 18. Whereas, Denmark will have everything to play for when they travel to Serbia on the same day with the second spot in the group still up for grabs.

• AFP

  MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐⭐