Ayoze Perez played a key role as Nations League holders Spain secured a 2-1 victory over Denmark on Friday, clinching top spot in Group A4 with one match to spare.
Already assured of a place in the quarter-finals, Spain extended their lead over second-place Denmark to six points with the win in Copenhagen.
Perez, who now plays for Villarreal, was involved in both of Spain’s goals. He first set up Mikel Oyarzabal to open the scoring and then found the net himself, doubling La Roja’s lead.
Denmark’s Gustav Isaksen pulled one back late on, but it wasn’t enough as Spain held on to secure the three points and top position in the group.
“Above all, I really congratulate the players, because they have many talents, they surprise us every day with different options in the game and because they know how to suffer, which is still the most important thing,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told TVE.
“We’re very happy, because we can take very positive conclusions from all these games.”
De la Fuente was without injured Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and long-term absentee Rodri among others, and started with just three players who began the European Championship final this summer against England.
Perez nearly sent Spain ahead but crashed a shot against the post after Pedro Porro played him in with a clever low pass.
The striker turned provider instead three minutes later as he set up Oyarzabal to finish a neat team move.
Spain were on top and conceding few opportunities to Denmark and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead.
Barcelona playmaker Dani Olmo slipped in Perez, who slotted home with a clinical finish.
Perez should have netted a second when well placed but attempted a chip which span wide off his boot.
De la Fuente handed Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, who has become a fixture for his club, a national team debut.
Bad news for Spain came in the form of injuries to Alex Baena and Martin Zubimendi, before Isaksen’s late strike.
The forward charged down David Raya after Fabian Ruiz passed back to the Arsenal goalkeeper and the ball deflected into the net.
Raya made amends with a fine save to thwart Skov Olsen in stoppage time and ensure his team kept the three points.
“We came here with the aim of winning, we knew we would have to suffer, as we did in the end,” Oyarzabal, who scored Spain’s Euro 2024 winning goal, told TVE.
“We had a good game and we’re happy with the victory.”
Spain, 15 matches unbeaten across all competitions, face Switzerland on Monday in their final Nations League group match.
