As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Euro 2020: Spain and Poland draw sets up dramatic Group E finale

In a tight affair, the match between Spain and Poland ended in a 1-1 draw, with the Spaniards once again unable to capitalise on their copious amounts of possession.

The sides met in Seville with both teams seeking a positive result heading into the second round of fixtures.

With some controversy regarding the Spanish frontline, the debate between Alvaro Morata and Gerard Moreno was quashed by Luis Enrique who started both players up-front.

The game started at a high tempo with Poland putting Spain under pressure from the kick-off. Poland had a couple of early chances with Mateusz Klich firing a shot in the 5th minute just over the bar.

However after the 10th minute it was all Spain, completely dominating the ball with Poland resigned to sitting deep.

The famous 'tiki-taka' football was on display with the ball pinging around and Poland doing a lot of chasing.

Gerard Moreno on the right was Spain's most dangerous weapon in attack, looking threatening with his creativity, ball control and goal nous.

In the 25th minute, Enrique's decision to play both Morata and Moreno paid dividends, when a crafty run cutting inside from Moreno saw him play the ball on the floor across the box, incisively finding Morata who slotted the ball into the net.

Initially the goal was ruled offside but on inspection by VAR the goal was given onside and the goal stood.

Moreno had a couple more good chances, a free-kick flying wide of the post in the 35th minute and a shot into the side netting following strong build up play involving a Pedri through ball and a Jordi Alba cross.

Poland's best chance on the counter came in the 43rd minute when Kaol Swiderski's long range shot smashed into the bottom of the post, and the ricochet fell to Robert Lewandowski, whose shot was saved strongly by Unai Simon.

The commencement of the second-half saw Poland once again shoot-out of the blocks, pressing high up the pitch and hurrying the Spaniards.

However this time around their hard work paid off when in the 54th minute, Kamil Jozwiak's cross into the box found Lewandowski, who rose above Laporte to header the ball past Simon into the bottom left corner. Game-on.

Drama unfolded two minutes later, when at the other end of the pitch, Jakub Moder left a late stamp on Moreno in the box, which once inspected by VAR, was ruled a penalty.

Moreno stepped up to the plate, but his shot slammed into the post. The ricochet fell to Morata, but despite his best attempts, his shot flew well wide of the goal.

That missed penalty was emblematic of Spain's second half. Despite having the lion-share of possession, Spain struggled to get past Wojciech Szczesny in goal and lacked cutting-edge in their front-line.

Poland on the other hand fought valiantly, defending with determination and countering with pace and class with Lewandowski leading from the front.

After 5 minutes of injury time, the game ended all-square leaving all to play for in the final matchday.

For Poland, there is still hope for progressing out of the group, with Paulo Sousa's men facing 'top of the group' Sweden on Wednesday.

For Spain, the pressure is really building on Luis Enrique's side, with two disappointing results in their first two games seeing them needing a positive result in their final game against Slovakia. Will the pressure prove too much for La Roja to handle? All still to play for in Group E.



EURO 2020 - Group Stage

Spain - 1 (Morata 25')

Poland - 1 (Lewandowski 54')

Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja, Seville

Man of the Match:Robert Lewandowski




Video of the day:

Eli Rubenstein Sturgess
About the author

Eli Rubenstein Sturgess

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free