Hector Bellerín started and completed the full 90 minutes for Spain u21s during their 5-0 thrashing over Macedonia, outclassing the minnows from start-to-finish, leaving the Arsenal fullback little defensive work to do throughout.

Bellerín pledged £50 for every minute he played of this summer’s tournament towards the fund to help victims of the Grenfell tower fire meaning that he will now donate £4,500 for this match alone.

https://twitter.com/HectorBellerin/status/876023251314634752

Atlético Madrid midfielder, Saul Niguez, broke the deadlock after 10 minutes, following Gaya’s inviting delivery from the left-hand side. His acrobatic effort deceived goalkeeper Igor Aleksovski, who could only watch it awkwardly bounce off his arm and into the net.

Real Madrid’s versatile midfielder, Marco Asensio, doubled the scoring with a fantastic strike from range, which left the keeper helpless as it looped into the top corner.

Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Gaya’s attempted cross was blocked with a handball. Spain were cruising and keen for more goals.

Deulofeu and Asensio both went close with again. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made one save of note with a diving stop to deny Enis Bardhi’s speculative effort before Asensio completed the rout with ease in the second-half.

Effortlessly skipping past two challenges before striking goalwards for his brace, he capped an excellent performance with an individual goal that flew beyond Aleksovski’s despairing dive into the corner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1wgff_Vk1Q

Fortune was not on Macedonia’s side as they struck the crossbar from range in the second-half in search of a consolation which didn’t arrive.

The result marks a comfortable and dominant performance from Spain, who have a tougher test to come next Tuesday in the form of Portugal, who also won their opening Group B fixture.

Bellerin will be hoping to maintain his starting spot whilst avoiding injury as Spain’s quality highlights their genuine chance of winning this competition.