An almost unrecognisable Spanish team eased past Bosnia as Celta striker Nolito grabbed a brace to get the current European champions' preparations for Euro 2016 off to a winning start.

Nolito takes advantage of his opportunity

Nolito was on fire from the start, almost creating a goal within the opening seconds only for Aritz Aduriz to hit his shot straight at the goalkeeper. Yet the 29-year-old was on hand just ten minutes later to give Spain an early lead from a corner with his first international goal.

Bosnia had barely progressed into the Spanish half before Cesc Fabregas picked out Nolito in the box once more, duly chipping the ball into the top corner to give Spain a two-goal lead within twenty minutes. Bosnia's luck was not about to change in a hurry as their star man Edin Dzeko was forced off with an injury moments later. 

However, the Eastern European nation soon gave themselves hope as Spain took their foot off the accelerator, with defender Emir Spahic nodding home a Miralem Pjanic corner. It was the beginning of an interesting fifteen minutes for Spahic, who lost his cool just before half-time, lashing out at Fabregas with a slap to earn a red card and leave his team in more peril.

Bosnia gave Spain a real test even with ten men (photo: Getty Images)
Bosnia gave Spain a real test even with ten men (photo: Getty Images)

Bosnia fight with ten men

Despite their numerical inferiority, Bosnia had the first chance of the second half when Milan Djuric saw his shot saved by Sergio Asenjo. Both sides went close through their substitutes as Pedro fired wide for Spain before Izet Hajrovic followed suit just minutes later. 

Substitutions from both teams slowed the flow of the game down, but Bosnia looked the most likely side to score next. Haris Dujlevic forced another save from Asenjo before the Spanish experimental team began to fight for a victory that bit more.

Mikel Oyarzabal went close on two occasions before Inaki Williams saw his shot saved as the game entered injury time. With just seconds remaining it was to be Chelsea's Pedro who sealed the victory, slotting home from six yards for a nervy Spanish side.

Spanish Head Coach Vincent del Bosque will undoubtedly be pleased with the result, but he would not have learnt much about his Euro 2016 set up, with only Marc Bartra, Cesar Azpilicueta, Bruno, Cesc Fabregas, Nolito and Aritz Aduriz in his provisional squad for the tournament. 

Del Bosque has no more fixtures before he is required to submit his final squad to UEFA, although friendlies against South Korea and Georgia will allow him to fine-tune his squad before Spain begin the defence of their crown on 13th June against the Czech Republic.

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