By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp
ANKARA (AA) - Spain crushed Slovakia 5-0 in a UEFA EURO 2020 Group E match to qualify for the Round of 16 on Wednesday.
Spain began cruising from the beginning of the match with several attempts on Slovakia’s goal at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, Spain.
Their efforts paid off when Slovakian midfielder Jakub Hromada's fouled midfielder Sergio Koke in the penalty area that resulted in a VAR review penalty kick in minute 11.
But Alvaro Morata could not get the ball past goalkeeper Martin Dubravka with his penalty kick in the 12th minute.
It was the Spanish national team's fifth consecutive missed penalty kick.
Morata missed another chance when his long-range shot was saved by Dubravka in the 24th minute.
But Dubravka’s fortunes began to turn as he broke opened the scoring with an own goal in the 30th minute.
Spanish defender Aymenic Laporte's looping header made it 2-0 late at the end of the first half in the 48th minute.
-Spain's domination continued after break
As a result of their superior game, winger Pablo Sarabia made it 3-0 for Spain with an assist from left back Jordi Alba in minute 56.
A pass from Sarabia did not go to waste as Ferran Torres, who was just subbed in, made it 4-0 with his classy strike in the 67th minute.
Misfortune stroke Slovakia again before the match was over when midfielder Juraj Kucka scored another own goal as a result of Torres' press in the 71st minute.
Spain had the largest win in the tournament’s group stage and qualified for the last 16, ending Group E in second place.