Barcelona Stars Shine On International Duties

Goals from Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta gave Spain an invaluable 2-0 win over Slovakia in Oviedo while youngster Rafinha Alcantara made his debut for Brazil

Image Credit: Deadly MSN Trio – Twitter

Barcelona won’t be in action until the 12th of September when they take on Atletico Madrid in La Liga. However, some of their players are helping their different teams on international stage.

Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique all featured in Spain’s national team that beat Slovakia 2-0 in their 2016 Euro Qualifier while Rafinha Alcantara and Neymar were late substitutes for Dunga’s Brazil side who beat Costa Rica 1-0 in an international friendly game on Saturday.

Vicente Del Bosque’s Spain side hosted Slovakia on Saturday knowing they had to win to ease the pressure piled upon them by Ukraine. La Roja didn’t disappoint as goals from Barcelona stars Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta ensured the 2010 World Cup winners go top of Group C over their opponent.

Slovakia defeated Spain 2-1 in the first leg but Del Bosque’s men didn’t wait long to start hurting their visitors. David Silva who was in crazy form throughout the game was the heart of Spains moves. His sumptuous diagonal pass over the top found the pacey Jordi Alba who raced out of nowhere to head home and give Spain an early lead on 5 minutes. The goal was the left-back’s first for La Roja in two years.

Spain dominated in all fronts with Slovakia seemingly seeking for a draw. Jordi Alba almost scored his second of the night moments later after he came close with a header but the 2008 Euro Winners would double their lead on the hour mark through another Barcelona man, Andres Iniesta.

Slovakia’s goalkeeper Kozacic brought down Chelsea striker Diego Costa in the area on 30 minutes and Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta kept his composure to finish coolly from the spot, giving Spain a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Andres Iniesta also could have scored his second goal of the night after an incisive pass from former Barça man Cesc Fabregas found the star in the box only for him to fire his header wide off goal when he totally should have scored.

Slovakia were much more stronger in the second period and could have gotten a goal on numerous occasions, but La Roja held on to get the win and move top of the Group.

Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets also started for Spain with the defender thoroughly jeered by the Spanish fans throughout the game. Defender Marc Bartra was part of the squad but stayed on the bench the whole game.

Elsewhere, youngster Rafinha Alcantara made his debut for Brazil after he was substituted on in the 81st minutes in Dunga’s men’s 1-0 friendly win over Costa Rica. Talisman Neymar also featured for the first time since his Copa America suspension after he was introduced to play the final 5 minutes of the game.