MADRID, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Spain booked their place at the 2020 European Championships with a 1-1 draw in Sweden on Tuesday night, thanks to substitute Rodrigo Moreno's injury-time goal.
The Spanish already know they will play in Group E, which will see matches hosted in Bilbao and Dublin, and they also know their opening game will be on June 15th, 2020, almost certainly at Athletic Bilbao's San Mames stadium.
With their ticket to the finals now assured, Spain coach Roberto Moreno has seven months to resolve several issues.
Formerly assistant coach to Luis Enrique, Moreno was given the top job this summer after Enrique resigned in order to care for his youngest daughter who was suffering from cancer and has since passed away.
Spain have won two and drawn two of the four games since Moreno was confirmed as Enrique's replacement, but Tuesday's draw in Sweden and a disjointed 1-1 result in Norway on Saturday night have raised more questions than they have answered, and it is clear the coach has work to do before next June.
First of all, he must decide between Kepa Arrizabalaga and David de Gea in goal. Kepa had initially got the nod from Moreno, but after being partly to blame for conceding Norway's late penalty at the weekend, De Gea was given a chance on Tuesday, only to go off injured after an hour.
The fact that Spain will play next summer at the home of Kepa's former club could be a factor in his favor, but the manner of his exit from Athletic to join Chelsea in 2018 still rankles with many fans, and he is not guaranteed a warm reception.
Sergio Ramos looks to be a fixture in central defense, as much for his leadership as his sometimes wayward defensive displays, so Moreno has to decide whether Inigo Martinez, Raul Albiol, Unai Nunez or Mario Hermoso will be the best partner for the veteran captain.
Of the four, Albiol offers experience, while Inigo has the advantage of being left-footed and giving a better balance to the defense - and he also plays his club football in Bilbao.
Moreno also has to choose between Jesus Navas or Dani Carvajal at right back, with Navas' attacking ability impressing against the Norwegians, although Carvajal is more rugged in defense.
Sergio Busquets looks to be a fixture in central midfield, but a full season with Barcelona could see the 31-year-old close to burnout at the end of the campaign, and Moreno may have to consider other options such as Napoli's Fabian Ruiz, who has forced himself into contention after starring for the under-21's in the summer.
Manchester City's Rodri also offers an alternative to Busquets, while Dani Ceballos will hope a season playing at Arsenal will strengthen his case, despite a poor display on Saturday.
The return to fitness and form of Santi Cazorla offers the Spain coach another alternative, and with so much midfield talent available, the job now is to use the forthcoming matches to decide which combination functions best.
Perhaps Spain's biggest problem is the lack of a central striker. Diego Costa appears to have gone off the boil at Atletico Madrid and failed to make the last two squads, while Gerard Moreno only made his international debut on Tuesday night.
Rodrigo may have saved Spain from defeat in Sweden, but the Valencia forward isn't a prolific scorer and looks more suited to a role as a second or wide striker, as does Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal, another former under-21 starlet who has forced his way into the senior side.
