La Rojita struggles to complete the task against the host in their debut

Suffering debut for the Spanish under-21 team in the European Championship of the category. Santi Denia's Rojita completed the task with great difficulty against Slovakia, the host and first hurdle of a tournament that is expected to increase in difficulty with Romania and Italy as the next group stage opponents. Early goals from Marc Pubill and Mateo Joseph seemed enough to settle the matter and avoid unnecessary trouble and fatigue, but the plan fell apart due to a local reaction that was left unrewarded thanks to Tárrega's 'in extremis' goal, preventing a major setback.

Nothing suggested such an outcome at the start, with total Spanish dominance against a technically inferior opponent. The monopoly of the ball soon paid off. Belko denied Diego López a goal in the first good chance of the match, and a dangerous cross from fellow Valencia player Javi Guerra hit the woodwork. That was the extent of Slovak resistance, overcome by a good cross from Diego López on the right flank, which Marc Pubill capitalised on as if he were a striker.

Spain, aware of the importance of the debut, accelerated despite the lead and just two minutes later doubled their advantage in the same manner but with different protagonists. This time Juanlu provided the assist from the right flank, and Mateo Joseph, a classic offensive reference, did the rest to widen the gap.

The can was opened, the most difficult part of these types of matches, and La Rojita managed the game well from possession. Marcelli tried to rebel with a long-range left-footed shot, deflected by Iturbe, but Slovakia lacked arguments despite a certain Spanish relaxation towards the end of the first half.

The script was blurred after the break, with a long ball that did not seem a threat until Mosquera became complacent and allowed Marcelli to manoeuvre, who spotted Kopásek's run, unstoppable in the finish.

Football, a sport so changeable depending on moods, presented Spain with an unexpected challenge with Hugo Bueno's penalty on Marcelli, highly disputable. Suslov took responsibility from the penalty spot and equalised a new match.

The host rallied and caused moments of anxiety for the five-time continental champions in the category, who improved with the substitutions. La Rojita, pressed by the clock, recovered and pushed again but was not accurate. The lack of precision was already threatening an upset when set-pieces and strategy came to the rescue. Javi Guerra delivered the corner, Mosquera extended to the near post, and Tárrega headed in the hard-fought Spanish victory.