Goals: Slovakia—Kucka 18', Stoch 87'; Spain—Alcacer 82'
Recap: Ninety minutes of inspired football saw Slovakia capture a 2-1 victory over Spain on Thursday.
A free-kick stunner from Slovakia's Juraj Kucka opened the affair in the 18th minute, sending the capacity crowd in Tehelne Pole Stadium into a fervent frenzy. Matus Kozacik's trio of world-class saves ensured the hosts entered the half with a deserving 1-0 lead. The reigning European champions returned to the pitch in a menacing fashion following the break. Their efforts would finally be rewarded in the 82nd minute, seeing Paco Alcacer polish off an inch-perfect pass from Jordi Alba.
Miroslav Stoch, however, would not be denied, sealing the 2-1 victory with a point-blank header in the 87th minute.
Key Moment: Vicente del Bosque's substitution for Paco Alcacer nearly allowed Spain to escape with a point, but it was Stoch's header on the break that ultimately decided the contest.
Man of the Match: Kozacik finished his 90 minutes with six saves. A majority denied La Furia Roja a clear-cut scoring opportunity.
Lesson Learned: Iker Casillas' best days are behind him and the transition to Spain's new No.1 must be expedited by head coach Vicente del Bosque. The 33-year-old, once heralded for his superior athleticism, has deteriorated to a walking punchline on social media websites. Despite the pure power and pace Kucka delivered his swerving ball with in the first half, it's a stop many expect Casillas to make in 2010, the peak of his powers. His acumen left him properly positioned in 2014. His reflexes, however, failed to age with it. The time to find someone with an elite balance of both is now.
Up Next: Slovakia travel to Belarus to face the hosts on Oct. 12, while Spain attempts to rebound in Luxembourg.
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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