It was 20 months since Monreal last hit the back of the net, so a celebration is certainly in order.
Arsenal striker Lucas Perez has congratulated teammate and compatriot Nacho Monreal on Twitter after the left-back scored his first ever international goal in Spain’s 4-0 win against Macedonia on Saturday.
In an era where full-backs have evolved into uber-attacking, auxiliary wingers, 30-year-old Monreal’s strike for Julen Lopetegui’s side was his first in 20 months, the last coming when the Gunners knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford in March 2015.
The former Malaga defender’s composed finish from a Dani Carvajal cross helped Spain on their way to a comfortable win against the minnows of Macedonia.
Vitolo and Aritz Aduriz were also on target alongside an own goal to keep La Roja level on points with Italy in their World Cup qualification group.
And Lucas, who is still awaiting his first international cap, has congratulated his teammate on Twitter, saying; “Congratulations Nacho on your first Spain goal in the rout of Macedonia.”
Former Liverpool flop Iago Aspas, now a prolific scorer in La Liga with Celta Vigo, was called up to the senior squad at the last minute after Diego Costa was forced to pull out with injury, a decision made easier for Lopetegui after Lucas was ruled out following an injury sustained in last month’s EFL Cup win against Reading.
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