Spain were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by Poland on Saturday night, as their wait for three points in Euro 2020’s Group E continues.
La Furia Roja took the lead 25 minutes in, as Alvaro Morata broke through on the left and put the 1 – 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. His strike was initially ruled out by an offside flag, but VAR intervened and considered that the forward had timed his movement perfectly and the goal was awarded.
Poland pulled almost evenly in the half-time, but Robert Lewandowski could not beat Unai Simon, after Karol Swiderski’s effort from the edge of the box hit the post and fell to the usually deadly forward direction.
Lewandowski got revenge in 54 minutes, however, high above Aymeric Laporte for going home Kamil Jozwiak’s floating cross. That parity should have been interrupted minutes later, when Gerard Moreno won a penalty, but he hit his spot kick against the woodwork and Morata fluffed the rebound.
Spain pressed on to find a winner, and Szczesny had to do his best to deny Morata again and bravely dropped a face from the face. But Luis Enrique’s side could not find that killer target, and eventually they had to settle for one point and threw their progression to the challenges.
Let’s check out the players’ ratings.
Save a key / Jose Manuel Vidal – Pool / Getty Images
Unai Simon (GK) – 7/10 – Nervous saw Klich’s strike fly over the crossbar, but showed bags of confidence to rush off his line and stop Lewandowski who netted a certain goal.
Marcos Llorente (RB) – 7/10 – So wasted on the right back, especially in a team struggling to create clear chances. Did his defensive duties well, but was often found in the last third and wanted to create something.
Aymeric Laporte (CB) – 5/10 – Invited Swiderski to his left foot, which almost saw Poland level. Terribly weak defense for the equalizer, so Lewandowski could bully him into the ground.
Pau Torres (CB) – 6/10 – A commanding enough first half, especially against the brilliant Lewandowski. Breathed relief when Simon came to his rescue.
Jordi Alba (LB) – 7/10 – Bombed up the left flank, as you would expect. Almost delivered the other, but Moreno could not stop his crossing. Dangerous.
Scrapping for holdings / Marcelo Del Pozo – Pool / Getty Images
Rodri (CM) – 6/10 – His neat finish made the score 1 – 0. Lewandowksi unleashed a swerving effort from the right that the visitors’ keeper did well to tip wide.
Koke (CM) – 7/10 – Usually struggling in the middle. Used his knowledge of clubmate Llorente’s style well and connected to the hill whenever possible.
Pedri (CM) – 7/10 – Produced some lovely details in possession, twisted and turned to twist without tight markings and look for a colleague. Showed his technique with an exquisite pass to release Alba on the left. Ran to the ground himself.
Faith Refunded / Marcelo Del Pozo – Pool / Getty Images
Gerard Moreno (RW) – 6/10 – Delivered the opener, took a risk and seeped a dangerous ball into the heart of the box. Morata did the rest. Won penalty, but could not hit the target. A disappointment.
Alvaro Morata (ST) – 7/10 – It must be said, he decided his driving perfectly for his goal. Darte behind his marker to appear from nowhere and knock home. Good game. Somehow missed the return to Moreno’s penalty. Should have had at least two or three.
Dani Olmo (LW) – 6/10 – A calm first half, although his movement often allowed Alba to run down the left wing to add width and deliver the crosses.
Heating / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Ferran Torres (LW) – 6/10
Fabian Ruiz (CM) – 7/10
Pablo Sarabia (RW) – 6/10
Mikel Oyarzabal (LW) – N / A
Ball Safe / Julio Munoz – Pool / Getty Images
Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – 8/10 – Could do little to deny Morata up close, with such a static defense in front of him. Guessed the right way for Moreno’s penalty and then turned Morata’s strike around the post minutes later. Tossed bravely in front of another Morata shot.
Bartosz Bereszynski (CB) – 6/10 – Completely bambozled by Morata’s movement for the opener. Did not pick him up and just let him sweep in for the goal. Restored to deliver a better second half.
Kamil Glik (CB) – 8/10 – Looked upset at his teammates’ poor defense and was increasingly put off by the chaos in the back. Led by example and defended well.
Jan Bednarek (CB) – 7/10 – A solid enough first half, even if his side fell behind. Looked calm with the experienced Glik by his side. Some heroic blocks at the end.
In the book / LLUIS GENE / Getty Images
Kamil Jozwiak (RWB) – 7/10 – Allow some intersections to enter too easily from the right flank. Did well with a beautiful delivery that Lewandowski could not miss.
Jakub Moder (CM) – 7/10 – A talented player. Did not look wrong against any dangerous Spanish midfielders and held his own. Gave away the punishment for a clumsy challenge, but lived to tell the story.
Mateusz Klich (CM) – 6/10 – Spain almost rocked early with a stabbing blow from distance, but the effort whistled over the crossbar. Booked halfway through the first half. Subbed.
Piotr Zielinski (CM) – 7/10 – A war show that tries to keep Spain’s passport master away. Could not get the ball to affect play in the resistance half.
Tymoteusz Puchacz (LWB) – 7/10 – Did a decent job stopping deliveries from his wing, even though he could not stop Moreno from cutting in and shooting the ball into Morata.
Meal / David Ramos / Getty Images
Robert Lewandowski (ST) – 8/10 – Stick him in a Bayern shirt and he buries the first chance. Could not stop it. Took his moment when it arrived in the second half, which gave home a brilliant nod.
Karol Swiderski (ST) – 7/10 – Flashed a shot just over the crossbar from close range. On the stretch. Rattled the post with a fantastic strike from the edge of the box.
Subs / JANEK SKARZYNSKI / Getty Images
Kacper Kozlowski (CM) – 7/10
Przemysław Frankowski (CM) – 6/10
Pawel Dawidowicz (CB) – Not applicable
Karol Linetty (CM) – Not applicable
