When the Spanish national team manager Luis de La Fuentes, explained that he was going to omit some of the Spanish national team players who played at the World Cup from his team going forward into the Euro 2024 qualifiers, players like Joselu would not have thought that they would ever make their national team debut anymore.

However, at the age of 32, the Espanyol striker looked out of place for a chance at Luis de la Fuentes plans, but after Spain’s first Euro 2024 qualification match against Norway in Malaga on Saturday, the former Newcastle and Stoke City striker immediately proved his worth and showed the reasons why he should be part of the team going forward.

Norway were without star striker Erling Haaland, and it felt like an advantage to Spain, and it did count after just fourteen minutes when Dani Olmo opened the scoring for the 2008 and 2012 Euro winners.

Despite the early lead, the game remained open until the final ten minutes before Joselu debuted in the 81st minute. The Espanyol striker then scored two goals in two minutes three minutes after coming in to secure all three points.

“I still can’t believe I’ve scored twice on my debut. For any player, this is just the greatest thing that can happen. It’s reward for all the daily work you put in across a career. Just now, when there’s euphoria, I want to thank my wife, my mum, my kids. They’ve all put in a mighty effort to support me to be here.” Joselu said.

The game is the first the Spaniards will play since their round of sixteen exits at the World cup in the hands of Morocco. Spain will face Scotland in Glasgow on Tuesday in their next game.

Scotland beat Cyprus 3-0 on Saturday in their own opening fixture, while Norway travels to Georgia.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu