Besar Halimi Scores Ridiculous Goal For Kosovo Vs Spain

Unai Simon made a massive mistake to gift Kosovo a ridiculous goal, as Spain brushed aside their opposition in the latest World Cup qualifier.

Simon, starting ahead of David de Gea for the third game in a week, would have been hoping for a quiet night on Wednesday, having conceded against both Greece and Georgia in the previous two games.

Having seen his side take a 2-0 lead in the first half, the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper might have expected to get his wish, but he ended up giving his side a scare.

The 23-year-old came out of his box in the 70th minute to get to a ball over the top of his defence before the oncoming Kosovo player.

Simon did get to the ball first but his touch was extremely heavy, knocking the ball back into the middle of the park, he ran after it but got tackled by Besar Halimi, with the German ball midfielder then lifting the ball into the empty net majestically from about 40 yards out.

Spain were in need of a boost in their World Cup qualification, following a poor first week on the road to Qatar next November.

The 2010 World Cup winners were held to a 1-1 draw by Greece in their opening game last week and then required Dani Olmo's injury time winner against Georgia at the weekend.

It was Olmo who got things underway on Wednesday, opening the scoring after 34 minutes, before Ferran Torres doubled the lead just two minutes later.

Halimi's goal with 20 minutes to go would have given Luis Enrique's sides some questions to answer but rather than wilt under the pressure they hit back again.

Gerard Moreno scored the third goal just five minutes later to wrap up the three points, and take top spot in Group B ahead of Sweden, who have a game in hand.

There was some controversy surrounding the game. Spain's public television service put Kosovo's name in lowercase, with the country not recognising Balkans country, which gained independence from Serbia in 2008, as a country.

It will no doubt make Halimi's goal even more satisfying!