Del Rio in grand form

Spain striker Laura del Rio claimed five goals in a 9-1 win against Belgium which reinvigorates her nation's UEFA European Women's Championship qualification hopes.

Convincing triumph
With Spain having lost 2-0 at home to Group 2 leaders Norway in their previous match, they needed victory at the Ciudad de Fútbol against a team which had lost their first three qualifiers to stay in touch with the top two. And their convincing triumph lifted them to within a point of second-placed Denmark.

Early setback
Belgium harboured hopes of a surprise win when Kristel Verelst gave them a sixth-minute lead. However, within two minutes Spain midfield player Itziar Gurrutxaga had levelled the scores, and on the quarter-hour Del Rio, who claimed the winner in her team's previous 1-0 group win in the Netherlands, made it 2-1. Eight minutes later Del Rio had struck again, and ten minutes before the break Maider Castillo increased the lead with a deflection off Liesbeth Hemelsoet.

Attacking display
Del Rio's hat-trick was complete five minutes into the second period and the CE Sabadell forward then began to inspire a display of high-quality football from the home team. Erika Vazquez, less than two weeks after her 20th birthday, got in on the act with goals on 73 and 78 minutes, and Del Rio completed the exhibition by scoring twice in the final four minutes.

Next fixtures
Belgium will continue their search for a first point in their attempt to avoid relegation when Norway visit on 7 March. Ignacio Quereda's Spain side continue their campaign on 21 March with a home match against the Netherlands in Madrid before what is likely to be a crucial encounter with Denmark on 18 April.