Liverpool starlet Suso played 45 minutes — and provided a superb assist — as Spain made it three wins out of three in the FIFA U-20 World Cup by beating France 2-1 on Thursday.
The midfielder was introduced as a half-time substitute and took just 11 minutes to carve open the French defense providing a cutting pass for Jese to double Spain’s advantage.
Julen Lopetegui‘s side had already qualified from Group A before kick-off in Istanbul.
It got its tournament off to a flier by thrashing USA 4-1 on the opening day, before Suso captained the team to a 1-0 win over Ghana on Monday night.
It was with this in mind that the manager chose to rest Liverpool’s No. 30, one of Spain’s stand-out performers of the competition so far.
In his absence, Valencia striker Francisco Alcacer took over armband duties — and led by example, firing Spain ahead on 23 minutes with a fine left-footed strike.
With the second half about to start and the score at 1-0, Suso came on in place of Jose Campana.
The Liverpool man was busy and industrious, dropping deep to collect possession and adjusting immediately to the ebb and flow of the game.
And when he saw the tournament’s top scorer, Jese, ease away from his marker and bolt into the space behind the French defence, the Reds midfielder launched a sumptuous 50-yard pass into his path.
Jese latched onto it and calmly rifled the ball low beyond Alphonse Areola to grab his fourth goal in three games.
Spain switched off momentarily in injury time, allowing Thibaut Vion to pull one back for France; however, Suso and co held out to clinch a deserved victory.
