Soler, Sarabia see Spain win at home against Czech Republic

MADRID - Spain beat the Czech Republic 2-0 in Malaga's La Rodaleda Stadium on Sunday in their final UEFA Nations League before the summer break.

Goals from Carlos Soler and Pablo Sarabia gave Luis Enrique's side their second win in two games after their victory in Switzerland on Thursday, which came after a draw in Prague and another draw at home to Portugal 10 days ago.

The game started brightly with Spain looking to take the game to the Czechs, who were happy to defend in numbers and then to get players forward after robbing the ball.

The first two chances fell to the visitors, with Spain keeper Unai Simon getting down low to his left to keep out Vaclav Cerny's effort from the edge of the area in the 17th minute.

Unai then did well to stand his ground two minutes later when Jan Kutcha ran onto goal, with the keeper finally saving with his feet.

Spain took the lead in the 24th minute when Marcos Asensio found space between the Czech defense and pulled the ball back for Carlos Soler to score with a low shot.

Soler almost doubled his tally minutes later after cutting inside from the right, but he slipped when shooting as Spain began to take control of the game, but without creating more chances before the break.

With the opening minutes of the second half seeing the Czechs getting into the game, Luis Enrique made a double chance with Ferran Torres and Gavi on for Alvaro Morata and Soler on the hour and soon afterwards Asensio found space as the Czechs were stretched, but his pullback into the six-yard box was scrambled clear.

Spain doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Gavi helped a ball wide to Ferran, whose driven cross was diverted into the path of Sarabia to score from close range.

Spain kept control of the ball and Sarabia went close after a defensive mix-up from the Czechs, who were tiring in temperatures close to 30 degrees centigrade as Luis Enrique's men kept up the pressure until the final whistle.