Roberto Fernandez reflects on his Spain debut against Czechia

Espanyol striker Roberto Fernandez realized a childhood ambition by making his senior debut for the Spain national team in a hard-fought victory over Czechia at the Carlos Tartiere. While he did not find the back of the net, the forward was instrumental in Spain's attacking play, creating space for his teammates throughout the match.

Fernandez completed the full 90 minutes despite enduring a physical encounter. His presence proved difficult for the Czech defense, ultimately leading to the dismissal of Ladislav Krejci, who was shown a second yellow card in the 85th minute after struggling to contain the debutant.

It's my debut, I was enjoying it. I'm a striker and I wanted to score, but I'm very happy. Now to keep working. I have not been able to score but I have dragged central defenders so that others could do it. Roberto Fernandez

The match marked a reunion with head coach Santi Denia, with whom Fernandez had previously worked during his time in the U-21 setup. This familiarity helped the striker transition seamlessly into the senior environment during a demanding international window.

By earning his first cap, Fernandez becomes the 49th player in Espanyol's history to represent Spain while playing for the club, following in the footsteps of Joselu. Looking ahead, his focus remains on maintaining his place in the squad amidst intense competition for attacking spots, having proven he can withstand the physical and mental pressures of international football.