Mario Gaspar's debut goal and brilliant De Gea help Spain win in Ukraine

Spain wrapped up their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win in Ukraine thanks to a first half goal from Mario Gaspar. 

The Villarreal right-back, making his debut for La Roja, headed in the game’s only goal at the far post after good work by Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara. 

Cesc Fabregas, on his 100th cap, had the chance to double the lead in the 25th minute, but his penalty was saved by Andriy Pyatov. 

Ukraine threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but they could not beat Manchester United’s David de Gea, who was in fine form. 

Vicente del Bosque’s side will therefore go into next summer’s finals in France having not conceded a goal in 723 minute of competitive action. 

As for Ukraine, if they don’t want to have next summer off, it looks like they will have to come through the play-offs in November. 

However, if Croatia fail to win on Tuesday and/or Norway lose, they could yet qualify as the best third placed team.

Del Bosque picked an experimental team in Kiev, the location where Spain won the 2012 European Championships. 

There was no place for any Barcelona players, with Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra and Sergio Busqeuts all left on the bench. 

Alongside Mario, Athletic Club’s Xabier Etxeita was also handed a debut for his country. 

Fabregas had already blazed over the bar when Mario gave Spain the lead, but Ukraine would take charge after the former’s penalty miss. 

De Gea produced a magnificent double save from Artem Kravetz and Ruslin Rotan, though, to keep the visitors in front. 

Andrew Yarmolenko twice came close in the second half, only to be denied by the United stopper, while Mikel San Jose had a goal ruled out by the officials for a foul in the build-up. 

Denys Garmash was then blocked by De Gea as Spain held on for their ninth win in 10 qualification games, their only defeat coming in Slovakia.