International friendlies: In-form Paco Alcacer makes statement of intent with brace as Spain rout Wales 4-1

Cardiff: Paco Alcacer made his case for a regular place in the Spain team as the on-loan Borussia Dortmund forward struck twice in his country’s 4-1 rout of Wales on Thursday. [caption id=“attachment_5365071” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Spain’s defender Marc Bartra (3R) celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the international friendly football match between Wales and Spain. AFP[/caption] With Diego Costa injured and Rodrigo on the bench, Alcacer seized his chance to impress Spain boss Luis Enrique in his first international appearance since March 2016. The 25-year-old maintained his blistering club form to leave the Wales defence in tatters in a one-sided friendly at the Principality Stadium. Alcacer netted twice in the first half to make it eight goals in 14 Spain appearances, while Sergio Ramos and Marc Bartra were also on target for the visitors. Alcacer has hit seven goals in four matches for Dortmund since joining on loan from Barcelona, where he struggled to break into the team and was rarely picked by Enrique during his time in charge at the Camp Nou. Enrique might be having a change of heart after this predatory display from Alcacer on an emotional night for Spain, who stood before kick-off for a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Majorca flooding which has killed 12 people. The former world and European champions endured a disappointing World Cup, stunningly knocked out in the last 16 by hosts Russia after sacking manager Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament. But Enrique has won all three of his games since taking charge after the World Cup and this emphatic success was the ideal preparation for Spain before they resume their Nations League campaign against England in Seville on Monday. Spain beat England 2-1 at Wembley in Enrique’s first match, then hammered World Cup finalists Croatia 6-0. “It was an intense game. I loved my team’s attitude. They did what I wanted them to do,” Enrique said. “Everyone who participated today was at a high level.” Wales were without Gareth Bale due to a groin injury and the Real Madrid forward’s absence rendered them toothless. Burnley’s Sam Vokes got a late consolation for Wales, who have lost three of their six matches since Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs took over as manager. “The disappointment for me was in the basics. If you don’t do the basics against a very good team, you’re in trouble,” Giggs said. “There were so many mistakes. Spain are such a good technical team, but we gave away two poor goals at set-pieces. “After that you are chasing shadows. We got taught a lesson in many aspects.” This was the first meeting between the countries since 1985 when Wales enjoyed a famous victory in a World Cup qualifier. To mark the occasion, the match was held at the Principality Stadium, which traditionally serves as the home of Welsh rugby, for the first Wales football fixture there since 2011. Speed and precision Yet it took just eight minutes for Spain to silence over 50,000 Welsh fans. When Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey punched clear to the edge of the area, Jose Gaya quickly worked back it back to Alcacer and he rifled a fine finish into the roof of the net. Moving the ball around with speed and precision, Enrique’s team doubled their lead in the 19th minute. After all their slick approach play, Spain’s second goal was actually a prosaic affair as poor marking from Suso’s free-kick left Ramos unmarked to loop his header past Hennessey. Once again it was Alcacer who did the damage for Spain’s second in the 29th minute, punishing more sloppy Wales defending as the hosts twice failed to clear before the forward fired home. Ramos, David De Gea and Saul Niguez came off at half-time, but Spain were still far superior. Bartra made it four in the 74th minute as the substitute guided his header past the flat-footed Hennessey. Vokes headed home with seconds left, but it was too late to salvage a dispiriting night for Giggs and company.