International round-up: Spain hold Italy to draw, Turkey see off Sweden
Thursday 24 March 2016 22:20, UK
Aritz Aduriz scored his first goal for Spain at the age of 35 to give the European champions a fortuitous 1-1 draw away to Italy in a friendly on Thursday.
Lorenzo Insigne ended Spain's run of six successive clean sheets when he finished off a counter-attack to give the hosts a deserved lead midway through the second half at the Stadio Friuli in Udine.
But Aduriz, who made his only previous appearance for Spain six years ago and was recalled thanks to his prolific form with Athletic Bilbao, replied three minutes later from Spain's first shot on target.
The result ended Spain's run of seven successive wins and they would have lost if had it not been for an inspired performance by goalkeeper David de Gea.
Cenk Tosun was in brilliant form for Turkey, scoring both goals in a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over fellow Euro 2016 qualifiers Sweden, who were without Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Besiktas striker hit the target with a left-foot strike after 32 minutes, but Sweden then took control in the second half to earn a deserved 74th minute equaliser from Andreas Granqvist.
Both sides had their chances to earn a winner but it was Tosun who proved the decisive figure nine minutes from time, heading home Selcuk Inan's cross.
Greece saw off Montenegro 2-1 in their friendly thanks to goals from Giorgos Tzavellas and Nikos Karelis in the second half, while Denmark beat Iceland by the same scoreline, Nicolai Joergensen scoring twice.
Ukraine, who will also be at the finals in the summer, beat Cyprus by a single goal from Taras Stepanenko.
