Spain and Cyprus played nine times nine times previously, with La Roja winning eight times and losing once.
Yes, Spain fell to Cyprus in one of their last nine meetings all time, with the defeat coming in 1998.
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Since losing to the Cypriots around 25 years ago, Spain have won their last two meetings between the teams. Spain claimed an 8-0 win in 1998 and a 9-0 win over Cyprus in September 2023, in the teams’ reverse fixture for Euro 2024 qualifying.
On Thursday night, La Roja are aiming for a third consecutive win over Cyprus in all competitions. A win would likely enable Spain to win Group A, finishing just ahead of rivals Scotland.
However, it is a close race for first place in Group A. Both Spain and Scotland are top of the standings with 15 points from six games.
The two teams have already qualified for the Euro 2024 tournament. The only debate is which team will win the group, with two matches left to play.
Cyprus are bottom of Group A, with zero points from seven matches. It has been another awful Euro qualifying campaign for the Cyprus national team.
Coach Temur Ketsbaia’s team scored just two goals in their opening seven matches. The team conceded a group-leading 25 times.
The Cypriot team has never qualified for a European Championship tournament at senior men’s level. Since entering qualifying first in 1968, the team has never made it to the finals of the tournament.
Spain last played on October 15, winning 1-0 in Norway. La Roja won each of their last three international fixtures without conceding a goal.
Head coach Luis de la Fuente has built a strong defensive team. Just three goals were conceded by Spain in the opening six matches. Spain have played well throughout the group stage, twice keeping clean sheets against Norway and Erling Haaland.
Their only loss was against Scotland. However, Spain rebounded from losing 2-0 in Glasgow to win 2-0 in Seville against the Scots.
Cyprus go into the game having failed to score in their last four international matches. The Cypriots conceded over 2.5 goals in each of those games. The question isn’t whether Spain will win, but by how many goals.
Spanish striker Alvaro Morata is second in Group A with four goals. International teammate Joselu has three goals. All four of Morata’s goals came in Spain’s last four Euro qualifiers.
Spain should run riot in Cyprus with a 3-0 win over the home team. Morata could get on the scoresheet once more. However, it was Joselu who scored in the teams’ reverse match-up