World Cup qualifiers: Sweden stun Spain; Italy held by Bulgaria

Sweden came from behind to beat Spain 2-1 in Stockholm on Friday. It was Spain’s first defeat in World Cup qualifiers since 1993. Carles Soler, who was making his international debut, put the away team ahead within 4 minutes of kick-off. However, the lead lasted less than 80 seconds, as Alexander Isak equalized with a brilliant finish. Meanwhile, after the break, Viktor Claesson fired in the winner for the home side.  In the other match of the day, European champions Italy were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home by Bulgaria. Atanas Iliev canceled out Federico Chiesa’s goal.

In Stockholm, Jodi Alba’s superb pass found Soler’s run inside the penalty box and the 24-year-old slotted the ball inside the net with a brilliant half-volley. In response, at the other end, Isak capitalised on a small defensive lapse from Sergio Busquets and smashed the ball past Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon with a stunning low strike from the edge of the box. Both sides tested the goalkeepers as the opening half continued.

Emil Forsberg was played through, but Azpilicueta stood firm to cut the angle and then Simon comfortably made the save at the near post. Simon once again made a save at the near post to deny Kulusevski.

Few minutes before the break, Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen made a quick reflex save to deny Spain the lead.

12  minutes after the restart, Kulusevski cleverly escaped two defenders at the left flank and delivered a cut back to Claesson inside the box. The 29-year-old winger beat Simon at the near post to make the score 2-1 for Sweden.

Spain tried hard for the equalizer. However, Olsen denied Ferran Torres and substitute Adama Traore the goal. Meanwhile at the other end, in the third minute of injury time, Robin Quaison should have sealed the win with a third goal. But his lob over the onrushing Simon went wide after Eric Garcia had misplaced the header.

The win helped the Scandinavian nation to the top of Group B with three wins from as many games whereas Spain are placed second with seven points from four games.

Italy’s 35 match unbeaten record

Italy had a bright start in Florence. Lorenzo Insigne fired wide from a tight angle, but the Azzurri took the lead after 16 minutes through Chiesa. The Juventus attacker cut down the right flank, skipped past a couple of defenders and fired home from the edge of the box after a one-two pass with Ciro Immobile.

Although the Azzurri looked the better side and controlled the game, the away side levelled the score against the run of play. Six minutes from the interval, Kiril Despodov easily dribbled past Florenzi on the left flank and put the ball in for Atanas Iliev, who cut in front of Acerbi to score an unexpected equalizer. 

After the break, the home side continued their domination but the Bulgarian defence stood firm to share the points. Roberto Mancini’s side’s unbeaten streak has now stretched to 35 consecutive games, level with Brazil and Spain’s record for the longest unbeaten streak in international football history. The Italians have not lost a game since September 2018, when they were defeated by Portugal in the Nations League match.

Italy will next face Switzerland in Basel on Sunday and if they could avoid a defeat, it will be a new record for the longest unbeaten run in International matches.