Fati’s landmark strike helps Spain beat Ukraine in Nations league

FC Barcelona's Ansu Fati (R) vies with Betis' Alfonso Pedraza during the 2nd round Spanish league soccer match between FC Barcelona and Betis in Barcelona, Spain, on Aug. 25, 2019. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua/IANS)


Ansu Fati became Spain’s youngest-ever goalscorer and Sergio Ramos scored twice as Spain cruised past Ukraine 4-0 in Madrid in the ongoing UEFA Nations League.

In just the third minute of the first half on Sunday, 17-year-old Fati drew a foul from Serhiy Kyrvstov to earn a penalty that Sergio Ramos converted clinically, reports Xinhua news agency.

The captain scored his and Spain’s second by looping a header over Andriy Pyatov just before the half-hour mark, only for Fati to steal his thunder with a wonderful strike just three minutes later.

The Barcelona wonderkid cut inside from the left flank again before fizzing a spectacular finish beyond Pyatov from outside the area. Ferran Torres later completed the scoring for Spain.

Spain now move top of Group A4, one point ahead of second-placed Ukraine. Germany are third on two points after they lost 0-1 to Switzerland.

Also on Sunday, Wales edged Bulgaria 1-0 to top the second-tier Group B4, while Ireland lost 0-1 at home to Finland.

Russia maintained their winning start in B3 with a 3-2 triumph in Hungary to build on their opening success over Serbia, who were reduced to 10 men in a 0-0 draw with Turkey.

Greece won 2-1 in Kosovo to top Group C3 on goals scored from Slovenia, who saw off Moldova 1-0.