Clinical Basque Country thrash Bolivia

Basque Country produced a classy and powerful display to destroy CONMEBOL side Bolivia 6-1 in front of 26,000 fans in San Sebastián this evening.

Crushed..Bolivia (in white) were easily beaten

The non-FIFA side made were simply too strong for the South Americans in the opening stages and they took the lead after just 10 minutes. Xabi Alonso's accurate pass found captain Xabi Prieto on the right flank and his 1st time cross was met by Aritz Aduriz, who finished comfortably beyond Sergio Galarza to put the Basques ahead. 7 minutes later it was 2-0 as Athletic Bilbao forward Aduriz headed home an Ibai Gómez corner. Alonso saw a 25-yard effort well saved by Galarza shortly after but in the 22nd minute the veteran was beaten for the 3rd time as Prieto sent in a superb cross which Gaizka Toquero rose highest to nod in. The hosts were relentless and in the 27th minute they added a 4th goal. Captain Prieto drew Galarza out and squared the ball for Ibai Gómez, who had the simple task of tucking home his 1st goal for Basque Country. Aduriz almost scored a 5th in the 40th minute but he pulled his shot wide.

Brace...Aduriz bagged 2 goals

In the 2nd half the Basques continued to press and in the 57th minute Toquero grabbed his 2nd, another header, as he turned Gómez's corner into the net. The forward went close 6 minutes later but it was the Bolivians who got the next goal, a mere consolation, when Pro Vercelli teenager Alex Pontons scored on his international debut with 11 minutes to go. Despite this Basque Country continued to dictate the affair and they scored a 6th goal to secure the thrashing in injury time. 2 Real Sociedad players combined as Carlos Martínez crossed for fellow substitute Imanol Agirretxe to head beyond the hapless Galarza and secure the Basques biggest win since 1937. 

The non-FIFA side are likely to play again during the 2013 festive period. Elsewhere in Spain this evening a Galicia XI narrowly beat a Kurds in Europe team 3-2 in Pontevedra.

Match information -

Score: Basque Country 6 - 1 Bolivia

Goals: Basque Country - Aritz Aduriz 10', 16' Gaizka Toquero 22', 57' Ibai Gómez 27' Imanol Agirretxe 90'. Bolivia - Alex Pontons 79'

Basque Country XI: Iraizoz [Zubikarai 73']; Iraola [Carlos Martínez 46'], Balenziaga [Castillo 73'], González [Labaka 46'], I Martínez; Alonso [Oier 46'], Beñat [Rico 46'], Prieto [Susaeta 46']; Gómez, Aduriz [Sola 46'], Toquero [Agirretxe 73'].