Aymeric Laporte starts and wears the armband as Spain rotate vs Czechia (3-1)

Aymeric Laporte, from Athletic Club, started and played the full 90 minutes as Spain beat the Czech Republic in Oviedo (3-1). The Agen-born defender returned to the XI after resting for the Tuesday match vs Croatia in Seville, in a heavily rotated lineup set up by Luis de la Fuente.

Rotation and a late withdrawal

Unai Simón was left on the bench and David Raya started in goal. Nico Williams also had to withdraw from the camp due to a muscle injury. In defense, Laporte was supported by three center-backs who weren’t in the initial list: Iván Fresneda, Fran García and Le Normand took over from Porro, Grimaldo and Eric García.

Comfortable start, controversial finish

Spain got on track early through Lamine Yamal and Rodri made it 2-0 just after the half hour. Czechia pulled one back in the 69th minute via Slama, but the away side didn’t force an equalizer after the referee spotted a foul in the build-up. In a tense end, Laporte took the armband from Rodri’s substitution, Krejci was sent off, and Merino sealed it with the winning goal, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.