Spain smash Cyprus to continue Euro 2024 qualifying recovery
Spain thumped Cyprus 6-0 on Tuesday to keep their Euro 2024 qualification bid firmly on track after an early setback against Scotland.
La Roja followed up their hammering of Georgia with another hefty victory to stay second, two points ahead of Norway in Group A, having played a game less.
However Spain still trail leaders Scotland, who inflicted an early defeat on Luis de la Fuente's side and have won all five of their matches so far.
Substitute Ferran Torres struck twice for Spain, while Gavi, Mikel Merino, Joselu and debutant Alex Baena were also on target.
Lamine Yamal, who became Spain's youngest player and goalscorer in the 7-1 win in Tbilisi last week, became their youngest ever starter at 16 years and 61 days old.
With Marco Asensio and Dani Olmo injured against Georgia, Yamal and Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams started on the flanks, as De la Fuente also brought Merino in for Fabian Ruiz.
Both sides stood for a moment of silence to honour victims of the earthquake in Morocco and flooding in Libya.
Spain presented the Nations League trophy they won in June to fans in Granada, although that success was soon forgotten after the women's team won the World Cup and then the Luis Rubiales kiss scandal overshadowed everything.
The former federation president resigned from his post on Sunday and interim president Pedro Rocha watched on as Spain gradually dismantled an initially stubborn Cyprus side.
La Roja took the lead after 18 minutes when Williams burst down the left and crossed for Gavi, wearing a skull cap after an ear injury with Barcelona, to stroke home at the near post.
The Athletic winger set up the second too, with a delectable cross to the back post for Real Sociedad midfielder Merino, a Basque derby
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