Spain labour to 2-1 win over Slovenia

Amsterdam, June 19: Spain survived a second half scare to put their Euro 2000 campaign back on track with a 2-1 win over outsiders Sloveni...

Amsterdam, June 19: Spain survived a second half scare to put their Euro 2000 campaign back on track with a 2-1 win over outsiders Slovenia on Sunday. Midfielder Joseba Etxeberria scored the crucial goal for a disappointing Spanish team, beating Slovenian goalkeeper Mladen Dabanovic at his near post on the hour, just a minute after Slovenia had drawn level. Spain are now equal on three points with Norway who meet Yugoslavia later on Sunday. Slovenia and Yugoslavia have a point each.

Slovenian Zlatko Zahovic claimed the equaliser — his third goal of the tournament — after both he and team mate Milan Osterc went for a cross. They appeared to impede each other but the ball bobbled past wrong-footed Spanish goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and television replays showed Zahovic had got the vital touch.

The goal woke up the Spaniards, who had been cruising after Raul shot them into a fourth minute lead. The Spanish striker cracked home a half volley from 16 metres when a loose ball dropped to him. It was Raul’s 17th goal for his country and was the ideal start for Spain as they sought to make up for a disappointing 1-0 defeat by Norway in their opening Group C match.

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Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho made four changes to his starting line-up following that defeat, introducing goalkeeper Canizares, defender Abelardo, midfielder Gaizka Mendieta, and Alfonso to partner Raul up front.

Appearing in their first major soccer tournament, Slovenia went close to making it 2-2 in the 66th minute when the impressive Zahovic curled in a shot which Canizares did well to tip one-handed around the post.

Spain were well below their best on a stifling evening in the Amsterdam Arena. Raul was their most impressive player, and he almost scored with a left-foot volley on the stroke of halftime and then flashed a header wide early in the second half. (Reuters)