Euro qualifying roundup: Ramos breaks stunning record as Spain win

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Spain captain Sergio Ramos has become the player with most wins with a national team after Spain defeated the Faeroe Islands 4-1 in qualifying for the 2020 European Championship on Friday.

Ramos contributed with a sixth-minute goal in what was his 122nd win with “La Roja,” surpassing former teammate Iker Casillas in the all-time international list.

It was Ramos' 19th goal in 164 appearances with the national team since his debut in 2005.

Jesus Navas added to the lead in the 19th before Klaemint Olsen pulled the hosts closer in the 30th. But Spain got on the board again with an own goal by goalkeeper Teitur Gestsson in the 34th, and Jose Luis Gaya closed the scoring in the 71st.

The victory left Spain in the lead of Group F with nine points, two more than Sweden after three matches.

Sergio Ramos becomes the holder of the most international victories ever following Spain's 4-1 win over Faroe Islands, June 7, 2019. /VCG Photo

Spain had assistant coach Robert Moreno on the bench again as Luis Enrique remains working remotely because of undisclosed personal reasons.

In Group D, Republic of Ireland's James McClean said pre-match criticism of his teammates by Denmark players served as motivation as they claimed a 1-1 draw in Copenhagen.

"Their players weren't complimentary towards us in the build-up to the game. We wanted to prove a point," McClean said.

"It's not nice when professionals criticize you. Fair enough they beat us 5-1 but we've drawn the other four games we've played recently," he said. "They're not that much better than us themselves, are they?"

Christian Eriksen orchestrated Denmark's play in his first match since his club Tottenham were beaten in the Champions League final by Liverpool last weekend.

Denmark's Christian Eriksen prepares to take free-kick during their Euro qualifier against Ireland at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 7, 2019. /VCG Photo

Elsewhere Ukraine hammered struggling Serbia 5-0 in Lviv to leave the visitors, who qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, rooted to the bottom of the group without a win in their opening three matches.

Schalke's Evgen Konoplyanka scored twice as the Ukrainians stayed top of Group B and five points ahead of reigning European champions Portugal who have played a game fewer.

Poland also continued their unbeaten start as they squeezed past North Macedonia 1-0 thanks to Krzysztof Piatek's second-half effort.

Source(s): AP ,AFP