Spain ease into Nations League quarter-finals with victory over Serbia

Spain secured a place in the Nations League quarter-finals with a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Serbia in Cordoba.

Aymeric Laporte gave the European champions an early lead before Alvaro Morata, who also missed a penalty, and Alex Baena struck in the second half.

Serbia were completely outplayed in the Group A4 encounter and their misery was compounded by the sending-off of Strahinja Pavlovic in the 76th minute.

Spain made the perfect start as Pedro Porro picked out Laporte with a deep cross following a short corner and the former Manchester City defender guided home a header.

Luis De la Fuente’s side could have added to their lead shortly afterwards when Mikel Oyarzabal tested Predrag Rajkovic following a poor clearance and Mikel Merino headed against a post from the resulting corner.

Oyarzabal had another effort blocked and forced a save from Rajkovic after Martin Zubimendi had gone close following a strong run from deep.

Serbia briefly threatened when Dejan Joveljic played in Pavlovic but his weak shot was comfortably saved by David Raya.

Rajkovic was busy again before the break as he tipped away an effort from Oyarzabal and had to chase back to keep out a header from Morata after being caught off his line by a Marc Cucurella cross.

Spain maintained the momentum after the break with Baena having a shot blocked after a good run by Fabian Ruiz and Morata also going close.

Serbia had a let-off after Veljko Birmancevic was harshly penalised for handball attempting to block a ferocious Porro drive in the box.

Morata stepped up to take the spot-kick but scooped the ball over the bar.

Oyarzabal headed narrowly wide and Morata was denied by Rajkovic before Serbia almost made Spain pay for their profligacy.

Kosta Nedeljkovic whipped in a dangerous cross for Aleksandar Mitrovic as the Serbs countered but the former Fulham striker’s first-time shot flew wide.

Spain made the most of the reprieve as Morata atoned for his earlier misses with a neat finish from a well-cushioned Ruiz pass.

Serbia’s hopes of getting back into the game were then dashed as Pavlovic was dismissed following a VAR review for bringing down Oyarzabal when through on goal.

Baena punished them further with a superb strike from the resulting free-kick.

Spain almost had a fourth late on with Pedri smashing a shot against the crossbar from close range.