VILLARREAL, Spain – Mikel Oyarzabal continued his remarkable run of form, scoring twice to lead Spain to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Serbia in a friendly international at Estadio de la Cerámica on Friday. The match, a late replacement for a cancelled Finalissima against Argentina due to geopolitical concerns in the Gulf region, served as a crucial dress rehearsal for La Roja ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which begins June 11th against Cabo Verde in Atlanta, Georgia.
Manager Luis de la Fuente largely deployed the starting eleven expected to feature in that opening World Cup fixture. Serbia proved a competitive opponent, but Oyarzabal’s goals, bringing his international tally to 24 in 52 appearances – just two behind Spanish legend Emilio Butragueño – ultimately decided the contest. The victory too solidified Unai Simón’s position as Spain’s undisputed number one goalkeeper, a point de la Fuente seems intent on reinforcing.
Player Ratings and Key Performances
Here’s a look at how key members of the Spanish squad performed:
Goalkeeper
Unai Simón: A largely quiet evening for the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper, with minimal action beyond dealing with a few Serbian set-pieces. The ongoing debate regarding his place in the squad, particularly with competition from Joan García, appears to be firmly settled in his favor.
Defense
Llorente: A physical force on the right flank, Llorente provided a constant outlet with his pace, strength, and tireless operate rate. He created space for Lamine Yamal and continued to contribute effectively in the second half, though understandably showing signs of fatigue.
Cubarsí: The young Barcelona defender wasn’t overly tested, primarily dealing with aerial challenges from Serbia’s forwards during corner kicks. He handled those situations competently.
Laporte: Enjoyed a relatively untroubled evening, showcasing his passing range with several accurate long balls from the back that broke Serbia’s lines on three separate occasions.
Cucurella: Demonstrated his world-class ability at left-back, combining defensive solidity with attacking intent. His quick reactions and tactical awareness were consistently on display.
Midfield
Rodrigo: Elegant and composed in possession, Rodrigo dictated the tempo from midfield. His unique habit of wearing his shirt tucked in is a subtle but telling sign of his meticulous approach to the game. He is regaining his best form, though still building match fitness.
Pedri: While not at his absolute peak, Pedri orchestrated play effectively, maintaining possession and linking up with teammates. A touch more sharpness in the final third would further elevate his game, something he’s been working on with Barcelona.
Attack
Fermín: Played a pivotal role in the opening goal, initiating the attack with a driving run that broke the Serbian defense. He’s enjoying a rich vein of form and continues to be a creative force. A goal was disallowed due to a handball.
Lamine Yamal: Faced tight marking throughout the match, which hampered his ability to fully influence the game. However, his presence still created opportunities for Oyarzabal, who benefited from the attention paid to the young winger. He was also on the receiving conclude of a penalty that went unnoticed by the referee due to the absence of VAR.
Oyarzabal: The star of the indicate, Oyarzabal’s two goals were clinical finishes. His first, a powerful strike, and his second, a stunning curler into the top corner, showcased his lethal finishing ability. He is now the ninth-highest scorer in Spanish national team history.
Baena: Energetic on the left wing, Baena frequently looked to take on defenders, though he favored diagonal runs over direct vertical attacks. He displayed moments of class and also a fiery temperament.
Substitutions
Dani Olmo: A lively presence off the bench, Olmo created chances but was denied by a fine save from Serbia’s Savic.
Fornals: The Villarreal native received a warm reception from the home crowd and demonstrated his quality with neat passing.
Ferran Torres: Showed his predatory instincts, always looking to gain into scoring positions.
Víctor Muñoz: Marked his debut with a stunning goal, a beautiful strike with the outside of his foot after a generous assist from Ferran.
Zubimendi: Maintained his usual composure and efficiency in midfield during his brief appearance.
Yeremy Pino: Eager to impress and potentially earn a place in the 26-man World Cup squad, Pino gave a committed performance.
Mosquera: A short cameo for Mosquera, ending with a collision and a quick exit.
What’s Next for Spain?
Spain’s focus now shifts entirely to preparations for the World Cup. The team will travel to the United States, where they will begin their campaign against Cabo Verde in Atlanta on June 11th. [1] The match will kick off at 8:00 PM local time (12:00 AM UTC June 12th). De la Fuente will undoubtedly apply the remaining time to fine-tune his tactics and finalize his squad selection. The friendly against Serbia provided valuable insights, but the real test awaits in the United States.
The cancellation of the planned Finalissima against Argentina, originally scheduled for the same day in Doha, due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, was a disappointing development. However, Spain responded professionally with a convincing victory over Serbia, demonstrating their readiness for the challenges ahead.
Fans can follow the latest updates and team news on the official RFEF website. [4]
