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Spain vs Norway: Head to head statistics
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Match preview
Will Spain once again cruise through a European Qualifiers campaign?
La Roja have appeared 12 consecutive World Cups and ten of the last 11 Euros, their sole failure in the last five decades coming in 1992.
This though is the start of a new era, with Luis Enrique stepping down as Head Coach, following their World Cup exit in the round of 16 at the hands of Morocco.
Luis de la Fuente has been given the top job, after winning the Euros at U19 and U21 level, also guiding Spain to silver medals at the most-recent Olympic Games.
He could get his hands on a major senior trophy just four matches into his tenure, with la Roja competing in this summer’s UEFA Nations League Finals in Netherlands.
Before then, Spain face their two most-likely challengers in this qualifying group, welcoming Norway to Málaga, before taking on Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
Norway meanwhile are desperate to end their 24-year exile from major tournaments, failing to qualify for all 11 since Euro 2000.
Both of last the two Euros cycles have ended in play-off heartbreak for the Lions, beaten by Hungary in 2015 and then Serbia three years ago.
However, with some true superstars in their ranks, Ståle Solbakken’s side believe they will be in Germany for the big kick off next summer.
In all likelihood, Norway and Scotland will be fighting it out for second; those two meet in Oslo on 17 June and then again on the final matchday in Glasgow in November.
During Euro 2020 qualification, Spain beat Norway 2-1 at Mestalla, before requiring a stoppage time equaliser from Rodrigo to salvage a draw at Ullevål.
Who will kick off their campaign with three points at Estadio La Rosaleda?
Spain team news
Luis de la Fuente has really shaken things up, with only 11 of the 26-man World Cup squad in contention here.
Since their exit in Qatar, Sergio Ramos and Sergio Busquets have retired, while star midfielder Pedri is out injured.
All three goalkeepers are Premier League-based, with Kepa Arrizabalaga expected to win his first cap since October 2020.
Rodri is the most-likely successor to Busquets as the number six, alongside Gavi in midfield, with the third position up for grabs.
Álvaro Morata will lead the attack, seeking to add to his 30 international goals, but it’s anyone’s guess who will start out-wide.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Carvajal, Nacho, Laporte, Balde; Rodri, Gavi, Fabián; Oyarzabal, Morata, Dani Olmo.
Norway team news
The headline news coming into this fixture is that Erling Braut Håland has pulled out of the squad with one of the knocks players only expirence during international windows.
On top of the 42 goals he’s scored for Manchester City this season, Håland has netted 21 times in 23 caps for Norway.
Without him, Real Sociedad’s Alexander Sørloth will lead the line, with captain Martin Ødegaard in-behind.
At centre-back, as Kristoffer Ajer is out injured, Leo Skiri Østigård could be partnered Andreas Hanche-Olsen.
Predicted XI (4-5-1): Nyland; Ryerson, Hanche-Olsen, Østigård, Meling; Thorstvedt, Berge, Møller Dæhli, Elyounoussi, Ødegaard; Sørloth.
