SM
Watford vs. Oxford Utd: 1 hr 14 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
SN
World Cup | Qualifiers
Oct 11, 2013 at 9pm UK
 
BN

2-1

Hernandez (61'), Negredo (78')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Xavi Hernandez relieved after narrow Spain win

:Headline: Xavi Hernandez relieved after narrow Spain win: ID:110650: from db_amp
Spain veteran Xavi Hernandez shares his relief after La Roja earned a 2-1 win over Belarus to move within a point of World Cup qualification.

Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez has conceded that his side struggled against Belarus for long spells in last night's World Cup qualifier, but praised an important, hard-fought victory.

Goals from Xavi and Alvaro Negredo proved enough for Vicente del Bosque's side to earn a 2-1 win over Belarus, despite a late consolation from Sergei Kornilenko.

La Roja struggled to break down their opponents for long spells, with Xavi admitting that this side were well below bar despite putting qualification firmly within their grasp.

He told Telecinco: "We weren't effective enough with the final pass but in the end we got the win and it's a very important step towards the World Cup.

"Alvaro's goal gave us some breathing room and at the end the Belarus goal gave us a bit of a shock but it turned out fine.

"It's tough when teams shut up shop at the back with all 10 players in their half."

Del Bosque's men now need just one point from their final qualifier against Georgia to earn a trip to Brazil next summer, which would see La Roja arrive as defending champions.

amp_article__110650 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2013-10-12 12:27:54:
html db last update - 2013-10-12 12:27:54 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Xavi Hernandez

Click here for more stories about Spain

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .