Football news – Sergio Ramos penalty sees off Norway

Sergio Ramos’ dinked penalty saw Spain begin Euro 2020 qualification with a 2-1 win over Norway.

Spain boss Luis Enrique, limited by a paucity of options after a spate of retirements, turned to Jesus Navas, 33, at right-back for his first cap in five years.

The home side dominated possession and gradually opened up their opponents, who were able to call upon Bournemouth striker Josh King after his return from injury.

It took just 16 minutes for Valencia man Rodrigo, playing at his home ground, to open the scoring with an easy volley after good work from Jordi Alba; 363 first-half passes only got them one goal, though.

In the second half, Inigo Martinez brought down Bjorn Johnsen in the box to allow King to convert an equalising penalty, but a few minutes later Sergio Ramos’ audacious penalty reasserted Spain’s lead, scoring his fifth goal in as many international appearances.

Spain next visit Malta on Tuesday, while Norway will host Sweden.

Can Alvaro Morata be saved? He earned the penalty with his run, but his finishing was remarkable. There were no great howlers, but the sheer, remorseless quality of his misses suggests there is something fundamentally broken with his confidence. This was a very good striker, now there is nothing to rely upon.

Sergio Ramos (Spain): He is on the cusp of becoming the most capped Spanish player of all time, and while he remains a player of a fiery temper, his cool head was enough to put Spain into the lead with the pressure mounting. They will do well to replace him so soon after losing Gerard Pique.

Spain: De Gea 6, Martinez 6, Ramos 7, Alba 7, Navas 7, Busquets 7, Ceballos 6, Parejo 6, Asensio 6, Rodrigo 7, Morata 5. Subs: Canales 6, Rodri 6, Mata 6.

Norway: Jarstein 5, Elabdellaoui6 , Ajer 6, Nordtveit 6, Aleesami 6, Johansen 6, Henriksen 6, Selnæs 5, Ødegaard 6, King 7, T. Elyounoussi 6. Subs: Johnsen 7, M. Elyounoussi 6, Kamara 6.

16’ - GOAL! Spain 1-0 Norway. Rodrigo scores - Alba is released won the left, he chips a cross inside the box to the back post, and Rodrigo is unmarked and able to turn in the volley.

20’ - RODRIGO SHOT - Rodrigo moves to the near post to reach Navas' cross, and he rolls an effort at goal with a flick of his leg, blocked for a corner.

64’ - PENALTY! Norway take a corner from the left, Martinez drags down Johnsen to prevent his jump, and that's an obvious foul.

65’ - GOAL! Spain 1-1 Norway. King scores - He takes a couple of steps and fires in a low penalty past De Gea's dive to his left.

70’ - PENALTY! Jarstein flies out to head off Morata, lunging into him with a sliding tackle. Totally pointless, with Morata coming at him from a tight angle and likely to miss regardless.

71’ - GOAL! Spain 2-1 Norway. Ramos scores - The Spanish captain dinks a penalty into the net to secure his side's lead.