Nations League
Joselu lets Spain celebrate after beating Italy
Joselu of Spain celebrates his goal to make it 2-1. photo
© Martin Meissner/AP/dpa
In Germany, Joselu has already fallen into oblivion. He was born here and has played for three Bundesliga clubs. But it’s only now that he’s getting attention.
Joselu had been on the pitch for just four minutes when he became a match-winner for Spain in the Nations League semifinals.
With his goal just before the end of the 2-1 (1-1) win against Italy in Enschede, the former Bundesliga professional from 1899 Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt and Hannover 96 shot the Spaniards into the final, in which Croatia will be the opponent on Sunday. The third in the World Cup beat hosts Netherlands 4-2 after extra time in Rotterdam on Wednesday.
Praise from fellow striker Rodrigo
Joselu will most likely only return to the bench at De Kuip. After all, the 33-year-old has a quality that no coach would voluntarily give up. The attacker, who was born in Stuttgart, does not need a long warm-up period when he is substituted on. Joselu was on the pitch for just three minutes on his debut for Spain in March and scored to make it 2-0 in the European Championship qualifier against Norway. He followed up with another goal just a minute later, capping his debut for La Roja.
“It was an important goal for him and for us,” said fellow striker Rodrigo in praise of the former Bundesliga player. The past season could not have been more different for the two attackers. While Rodrigo won the Champions League, English Championship and FA Cup treble with Manchester City, Joselu was relegated with Espanyol Barcelona.
Now the duo wants to win the Nations League together and at least forget the disappointing round of 16 at the World Cup in Qatar. “Today we are happy, but on Sunday we want the title,” Rodrigo announced before the duel with Real Madrid star Luka Modric and the strong Croatians.