PAC A PUNCH!

England beware as Alcacer & Co deliver a lesson to poor Wales

EUROPE’S hottest striker Paco Alcacer demolished Wales as brilliant Spain sent a warning to England.

No top-level striker comes close to Alcacer’s efficiency on the pitch this season, leaving Ryan Giggs’ side demoralised after a thumping defeat.

The Barcelona forward has netted seven goals in four games on loan at Dortmund, but only started once. And when he curled home from 18 yards in the eighth minute he was averaging a goal every 18 minutes.

When he smashed home his second of the night, and Spain’s third after half an hour, his tally was nine goals this season in just 203 minutes of action. His strike rate had slipped… to a strike every 22mins 30s!

Defenders Sergio Ramos and Marc Bartra also scored exposing a basic lack of marking by Wales, who did get an 89th-minute headed consolation from Sam Vokes from a lovely outside of the foot cross from young sub David Brooks.

For Alcacer’s first, Jose Gaya scuffed a shot which Saul Niguez managed to stun and lay off. The curling finish was classy.

Spain were enjoying themselves. Chris Gunter fouled Alvaro Morata on the break and Suso curled in a free-kick which exposed a lack of basic marking.

Ashley Williams had to pick up two players, meaning there wasn’t a red shirt within four yards of the Real Madrid skipper when he nodded home.

Spain were assisted by the Welsh defence for Alcacer’s second, as the home performance turned in an error prone show.

Suso caused problems down the right and Harry Wilson challenged for a ball dropping into the box, he could only touch it gently goalward. Alcacer showed his predatory skilled by reacting first to fire home from 10 yards, again unchallenged.

Giggs brought Wales back to the Principality Stadium for the first time in six years, but the rout killed the atmosphere.

The only happy Rodri in Cardiff was Spain’s Atletico Madrid midfielder, who ran the show. It looked ominous for England who face Spain, who hit Croatia for six last month, next week.

Luis Enrique’s side looked to have extra players on the pitch. This wasn’t the slow build-up possession game, this was ruthless, with Bartra heading home No.4 from Suso’s corner.

Brooks was a rare plus point for Giggs, and just before the end he set up Vokes for the Wales goal.