Euro 2020: Spain stumbles again and splits with Poland, who save themselves from elimination
Spain have yet to win a Euro after their 1-1 draw with Poland on Saturday in Seville in Group E of the Euro. Alvaro Morata gave La Roja a first-half lead before Robert Lewandowski equalised in the second half. Spain are third in group E with 2 points behind Sweden (1st, 4 pts) and Slovakia (2nd, 3 pts). Poland is 4th with 1 point.
As in the first day against Sweden, Spain had to face a well established Polish block. Poland even had the first chance of the game but Mateusz Klich’s shot went just over the bar of Unai Simon’s goal (6th).
Poland’s patience finally paid off as Alvaro Morata scored the first goal of the game. The Spanish striker cut out Gerard Moreno’s cross to surprise Wojciech Szczesny at the near post. The goal was initially ruled out for an offside position, but was eventually validated by VAR (25th).
The game went into extra time, but the Spanish were not to be denied as Gerard Moreno’s free-kick was just wide of Szczesny’s goal (34′). Poland were forced to come forward to equalise and had a double chance when Karol Swiderski hit the post and the ball came back to Robert Lewandowski’s feet, but the Polish striker saw his shot saved by Simon (42′). Moreno came close to making it 2-0 with a few seconds to go but failed to hit the target (45′).
Poland looked more dangerous after the break, with the inevitable Lewandowski on hand to help. The Bayern Munich striker beat Aymeric Laporte to a cross from Kamil Jozwiak and headed the ball past Simon (54′).
It was the first time that Spain had a golden opportunity to regain control of the game. After a VAR intervention, La Roja were awarded a penalty for a foul by Jakub Moder on Gerard Moreno. The Villarreal striker tried to take the penalty himself but his shot hit the post (57′).
Poland, like the rest of the game, were looking for the slightest chance to counterattack. The Spanish did not take advantage of the defensive errors of the White Eagles to score the winning goal, as Morata missed the opportunity (83rd).
The draw did not help Spain, who are now in third place in Group E with 2 points behind Sweden (1st, 4 pts) and Slovakia (2nd, 3 pts). Poland remains last with 1 point.
On the third and final day, Spain will play Slovakia in Seville and Sweden will face Poland in St Petersburg. Both matches are scheduled for 23 June at 18:00.