Football news - Classy Spain brush past Wales with comfortable 4-1 win

The passing, movement and pressing of Spain was far too good for Wales at the Principality Stadium; the hosts will be pleased to have escaped with only a 1-4 kicking.

It took only seven minutes for Spain to take the lead, a murderous thrash from the in-form Paco Alacer rousting past Wayne Hennessey and into the roof of his net. In those early stages Wales could barely rustle up a touch of the ball, and on 19 minutes, the pressure told, frazzled minds leaving Sergio Ramos alone at a free-kick, which he duly headed into the far corner. And on 29 minutes Alcacer had his second strolling onto a loose ball to plant a low finish into the net.

Spain relaxed slightly after that, though maintained their dominance of territory and possession, and it was no great surprise when they added a fourth goal, the substitute Marc Bartra sending a fine header high into the net. But Wales played with more devil in the closing stages, and in the final minute, a delicious cross from David Brooks was finished by Sam Vokes.

So, a chastening experience for Wales - but no one will care should they beat Ireland on Tuesday. Spain, meanwhile, look very strong - more terrifying even than their performance was the calibre of player rested for it - and it will take a serious effort to stop them winning the European Championships, never mind the Nations League.

What was Wales' plan? Obviously Wales were overmatched, but in the first half especially, they just let Spain play, and looked clueless on the odd occasion they were permitted possession. With or without Gareth Bale, they need to find a method that allows them to compete against superior outfits.

Rodri (Spain) Controlled the game with sharp, perceptive passing and intelligent movement. Has all he needs to become a star.

Wales: Hennessey 6, Gunter 5, Davies 5, Williams 4, Roberts 5, Allen 5, Ampadu 6, John 5, Ramsey 4, Wilson 5, Vokes 5. Subs: Roberts 6, Chester 6, Richards 6, Brooks 7, Smith 6, Lawrence 6.

Spain: De Gea 6, Azpilicueta 6, Albiol 6, Ramos 6, Gaya 7, Rodri 8, Saul 7, Ceballos 7, Suso 7, Morata 5, Alcacer 8. Subs: Bartra 6, Koke 6, Castro Otto 6, Aspas 6, Rodrigo 6.

Wales conceded three goals in the first half of a home game for the first time since losing 1-5 to Slovakia in October 2006.

7’ - GOAL! Wales 0-1 Spain (Alcacer) Spain enjoy some possession as they do, moving inside and out. But then Azpilicueta tries a long cross, Hennessey punches, and when Gaya's low drive is blocked, the ball falls to Alcacer on the left of the box, 15 yards out, and fairly devastates a finish high inside the near post. Brilliant, and I'm not sure Wales have touched the ball yet.

19’ - GOAL! Wales 0-2 Spain (Ramos) Suso swings the free-kick out towards the far post, and Sergio Ramos is there all alone inside the six-yard box, nodding across Hennessey and in. What on earth were the Wales defenders doing? Where were they? This could get messy now.

29’ - GOAL! Wales 0-3 Spain (Alcacer) Morata goes down in the box, which at least saves him from missing an embarrassingly easy opportunity, and when Suso's cross isn't cleared, the ball bounces about, Wilson inadvertently nudges it goalwards, and Alcacer strides onto it to caress a volley past Hennessey. That was a very odd goal.

36’ - Well hello! Wales win a corner down the right and Ampadu does well, backpeddling, to lose Gaya at the far post. But he's off balance when he heads for goal, doing well to clip the outside of the upright.

58’ - Spain are purring again, Suso drifting inside, changing pace, and curling hard looking the far top corner and just clipping the top of the bar. That was very nice, but where was the tackle?

65’ - Stop me if you think you've heard this one before: Morata is beating the ground is devastation after Goya goes down the left and crosses towards the far post, where he heads over. That goal against Vidi really opened the floodgates.

75’’ - GOAL! Wales 0-4 Spain (Chester) This is a brilliant header! Suso swings the corner out, and at the near corner of the six-yard box, Barta vaults above Chester, glancing a tump high inside the far stanchion.

89’ - GOAL! Wales 1-4 Spain (Vokes) AND YOU CAN'T SAY IT WASN'T COMING! Wales work hard to recover the ball just outside the Spain box and it goes wide to Brooks, who cuts in and paints a glorious cross - with the outside of his foot - into Vokes, who gets up all over Bartra and heads home off yerman's back. It's on!