Gaspar’s volley leads Spain to win

Mario Gaspar scored with a remarkable spinning volley from the top of the area to lead Spain to a 2-0 win over England in a friendly on Friday, handing the English their first loss in nearly a year and a half.

After a high pass by Cesc Fabregas in the 71st minute, Gaspar swiveled his body and struck a right-footed acrobatic volley to send the ball into the top corner past England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who could only watch it fly over his outstretched arms. “It was one of the best goals of my life,” Gaspar said. “The ball went where it had to go.”

Santi Cazorla sealed Spain’s victory with a low shot from outside the area in the 84th. BELGIUM TRIUMPH

BRUSSELS: Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi put the finishing touches on a superb Belgium display as the world number oneranked team outclassed Italy 3-1 in Brussels on Friday.

The match that will be remembered for its commemoration of the Heysel Stadium disaster 30 years ago — the names of all 39 victims were shown on big screens in the 39th minute — will also be one that served as a lesson for Italy ahead of next summer’s European Championships.