Morata driven by past success and present goals

Although he scored Spain's winner on his debut in Thursday's Group B encounter against Russia, striker Álvaro Morata is no stranger to international success having previously helped his nation win the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.



Morata climbed highest to head in Thiago Alcántara's free-kick on 82 minutes of Spain's opening game at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. Joy was etched all over the 20-year-old's face as he opened his account at this level and helped the holders begin their defence with three points. Having decided to throw the player into the fray shortly after the hour mark, coach Julen Lopetegui was not left disappointed.



"There are times when you have to look at alternatives in a game especially when Plan A is not working," Morata told UEFA.com. "In our squad we have players with a lot of resources." 
The euphoria generated by his goal and the camaraderie within the set-up are nothing new to the Real Madrid CF academy product. Just two years ago in Romania, he scored six times in four games – including a hat-trick against Serbia – as Spain lifted a fifth U19 title.

Looking back, Morata says there are a few differences between that experience and what he is going through this time around in Israel. "Although it is [more or less] the same tournament, the age and level are that much higher," he explained. "The players who are here are almost at the elite level of football and are competing in the Champions League and Europa League."



With Morata excitedly explaining the links between his current international team-mates to those of the past, it is no surprise that Julen Lopetegui's charges are keeping tabs on the current U19 group who recently enjoyed a second successive Elite round victory on the road to next summer's finals in Lithuania.

"Between all of the players we offer each other support," said Morata, who many observers in Spain feel offers a different style of attacking option for La Rojita. "The U19s were looking at how we did in our debut last night while we have been doing the same with them as they seek to qualify for the finals."



Daniel Carvajal, Pablo Sarabia and Morata were in Romania two years ago and all are now keen to enjoy more success at a higher age group that contains a similar generation of great players. Despite his six goals back then, the forward declined to offer a prediction on how many he would like to score this time around. "I hope to score as many as I can and to help my team leave here as champions," he concluded.