'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Defending Euro champions Spain slumped to their first defeat in a qualifier in eight years as they lost 2-1 to Slovakia in Zilina on Thursday.
Goals from Juraj Kucka and Miroslav Stoch saw Slovakia get all three points with Spain substitute Paco Alcacer scoring the solitary goal for his team.
The last time Spain lost a qualifier was in October 2006 when they lost 2-0 to Sweden (Euro 2008 qualifier).
This is their first loss in 37 Euro and World Cup qualifying matches.
Spain manager Vicente del Bosque lamented his team’s chances and praised Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik. “We showed patience but we were not effective and their keeper was superb,” he said.
Meanwhile, Diego Costa, who has been on fire in the Premier League with nine goals in seven games, has not scored in six matches for Spain so far.
Slovakia 1-0 Spain: Kucka (17’)
Slovakia took the lead at home thanks to a goalkeeping error from Spain’s Iker Casillas. Juraj Kucka took a free kick from 30 yards out which swerved a bit and was horribly misjudged by the Real Madrid shot stopper who went the wrong way.
Slovakia 1-1 Spain: Alcacer (82’)
Substitute Alcacer then equalized in the 82nd minute when he beat the offside trap to control Jordi Alba’s cross with his right foot and then shoot into the bottom right corner with his left foot.
Slovakia 2-1 Spain: Stoch (87’)
Slovakia then completed a historic win when Michal Duris sent in a cross from the right flank where an unmarked Stoch headed home with Casillas unable to get back in time from the near post to save the shot. Stoch was also booked for his excessive celebration after the goal when he pulled off his shirt.
