Albert Riera scores goal for Daniel Jarque

Albert Riera scores goal for Daniel Jarque

Spain winger Albert Riera dedicated his winning goal against FYR Macedonia on Wednesday night to Daniel Jarque, the Espanyol captain who died at the weekend.

Jarque died at the age of 26 on Saturday after his heart stopped following a training session in Coverciano, Italy where the Barcelona-based club were on a pre-season camp.

The Spanish national team paid tribute to Jarque prior to their friendly with Macedonia in Skopje, wearing shirts with Jarque's name and his squad number at Espanyol (21) on the front prior to kick-off and for the national anthems.

Both teams also observed a minute's applause before the match in memory of Jarque, who had come up through the youth ranks at home-town club Espanyol and represented Spain at Under-21 level.

Spain ended up beating Macedonia 3-2 despite trailing 2-0 at half-time and Riera, who played alongside Jarque at Espanyol before moving to Liverpool last year, said of his brilliant winning strike in the 55th minute: "My goal is for Dani, for his family, and for everyone associated with Espanyol.

"It was a goal that meant a lot, over and above the result. For me it was very important due to the desire that I had to score in this game. I can assure that this goal came from the soul.

"I wasn't only thinking (about scoring), but that's that I was hoping for. I've thought a lot about Dani and about scoring a goal for him."

Barcelona centre-back Pique, whose tap-in levelled the scores up at 2-2 before Riera netted Spain's winner moments later, added in AS: "We want to dedicate this win to Jarque and his family, who must be going through a very tough time. My goal is for him."