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The Lithuanian youth national team (up to 21 years old) played a tie with the Spanish peers in the 7th group match of the European Championship qualifiers held at the S.Darius and S.Girenas Stadium. However, the Lithuanians' situation in the group did not improve much, as they collected 4 points and tied with the Belgians, although the latter have played one less match. Meanwhile, the Spaniards have 5 points in their country, while the Bosnians and Sanmarinese have not yet earned any points.
In the other matches, the group leader, the Serbian and Montenegrin national team, won their third consecutive victory, this time not showing mercy to San Marino and scoring seven unanswered goals.
In the remaining two group matches this year, Belgium will play at home against Serbia and Montenegro, while Lithuania will face San Marino away.
U21 Lithuania 1 - 1 Spain U21 25' [0 - 1] (11m.) 50' [1 - 1]
Lithuanian national team lineup: Malinauskas; Skroblas, Mikuckis, Majus, Žaliūkas; Šernas, Panka, Navikas (77' Tomkevicius), Lukša (82' Kavaliauskas); Mačiulis; Rimkevičius (87' Paknys)
Match timeline (from bottom to top):
The referee announces the end of the match. The hosts played commendably and deservedly secured a draw against the Spanish team, considered the favorite before the match. Don't forget - tomorrow at 21:15 national team matches at the "Žalgiris" Stadium.
93' Kavaliauskas receives the ball, breaks away alone towards the goalkeeper, but at the crucial moment he releases the ball a bit too far and the Spaniards defend it. An unused hundred percent chance to snatch victory.
90' Four minutes added
84' Skroblas receives a second yellow card and is sent off. After the Spanish penalty kick attempt, there was an attempt to head the ball, but it did not pose a greater threat to the goal.
78' Ramos breaks through on the right side, passes the ball to the middle of the penalty area, Jimenez runs in, and luckily his shot flies high over the goal.
74' Lukša earns a corner and takes it himself, Majus heads the ball, and the Spanish goalkeeper deflects it over the goal.
59' Guests' response - Cazorlo receives the ball in the penalty area, makes several misleading moves, and shoots from under Žaliūkas' legs, but the shot is not strong and Malinauskas catches it.
50' Goal!!! Excellent Lithuanian play, a few precise passes, a cross from the side, Rimkevičius tries to redirect the ball into the goal with his head, the goalkeeper defends Naviko's shot, but Rimkevičius himself jumps first to the rebound and sends it into the goal.
46' The first Spanish attack, a pass from the right side, Garcia freely heads the ball, but unsuccessfully.
Half-time. The Lithuanians played better and had at least four chances to score, but lacked accuracy. Meanwhile, the Spaniards had more ball possession, but had a hard time creating more dangerous moments.
44' Defensive mistake, Mačiulis receives the ball from Rimkevičius, but his attempt from 13 meters goes wide.
42' Spanish corner, breakthrough on the left side, a very dangerous pass into the penalty area, but no one touches the ball.
33' Penalty kick is awarded. The distance is approximately 35 meters from the Spanish goal. Mikuckis stands over the ball, shoots... A powerful shot flies beside the goalpost.
27' High pass from the left side, Mačiulis stops the ball, turns on the penalty area line, the Spaniard pushes him from behind, the Lithuanian falls, but the referee's whistle remains silent.
25' Goal! The ball is lost in the middle of the field, Sergio Garcia receives a pass in front of the penalty area, dribbles past Mikuckis, who stops the opponent illegally. A penalty kick is awarded, which is converted by A. Iniesta - the visitors undeservedly take the lead.
15' Lithuanians continue to press the opponents' goal, an attack from the right, a low pass, Šernas breaks free one-on-one with the goal, but shoots straight at the goalkeeper.
14' Another dangerous Lithuanian attack, a situation for a shot... again close to the goal.
8' Beautiful Spanish combination, a pass to number 11 on the side, he has a lot of space and tries to shoot into the near corner of the goal, but Malinauskas reliably defends. After the Spanish corner, the goalkeeper easily catches the header.
4' Navikas receives a great pass one-on-one against the goal, successfully stops the ball, but the shot flies next to the post. A great opportunity for the Lithuanians, unfortunately not utilized.
The match begins. The stadium stands are almost empty, only 500 spectators, apparently they were deterred by the cold weather.
