Spain’s footballers stumbled in their first match at the European Championships and entered Group E in Seville with an unexpected goalless draw with Sweden.
The three-time European champions extended the series without defeat to nine matches and did not collect for the third time in a row. The Swedes did not extend the string of five victories, but kept the account clean for the fifth time in the last six duels.
The Spaniards will play the whole group in Seville, where they will welcome Poland in the next match on Saturday, which lost to Slovakia 1: 2 today in St. Petersburg. The Swedes will challenge the Slovak leader of the table in the second largest Russian city on Friday.
“We knew we were facing a very strong opponent. The fact that we were able to draw a draw with them today is an amazing feeling,” said Swedish defender Lindelöf, who was named the best player of the match.
Spain lacked Captain Busquets due to coronavirus. Positive tests for covid-19 also eliminated Swedish players Kulusevski and Svanberg. Eighteen-year-old talent Pedri from Barcelona started in the basic line-up of the home team and became the youngest Spanish player to ever enter the European Championship.
“I’m happy with my debut because it’s every boy’s dream. But I’m disappointed with the result. Despite many chances, we couldn’t score. We have to analyze it well and look at the mistakes,” said midfielder Pedri.
As expected, the home team held the ball more often from the beginning and created chances. Olm’s head was kicked by Olsen, whose goal was missed by Morat after Danielson’s mistake. Twice Koke went next to him.
In the 41st minute, the Northerners were able to open the score from their first opportunity. After Isak’s shot, however, Simón, who took precedence over De Geou, was replaced by Marcos Llorente and bounced off the ball. Olsen, on the other hand, picked up Olma again.
Shortly after the break, Morata missed the goal again and heard the whistle from the stands again. “I don’t understand. Morata is a great player. Fans could encourage us a little more. They should stand by us and trust us. We will show them that we can win,” said midfielder Olmo.
On the other hand, Isak threatened for the second time, but Berg did not use the pass of the Spanish San Sebastian striker and shot next. “We wanted to be more at the ball and create more in front of it. But we have to accept how the match went. We are happy with the point,” said Isak.
The “La Roja” players had the upper hand in the end, but they could not break or surprise the opponent’s solid defense for a long time. Only in the setting, Moreno, with a close head, hit only the leg of the flawless Olsen at close range, who then caught the attempt of another Spanish substitute, Sarabia.
European Football Championship:
Group E (Sevilla):
Spain – Sweden 0: 0
Judges: Vinčič – Klančnik, Kovačič (all Slovenia) – Massa (video, It.). ZK: Lustig (SWE). Attendance: 12,500 (limited number).
Assemblies:
Španělsko: Simón – M. Llorente, Laporte, P. Torres, Alba – Koke (87. Ruiz), Rodri (66. Thiago), Pedri – F. Torres (74. Oyarzabal), Morata (66. Sarabia), Olmo ( 74. Moreno). Trenér: Enrique.
Sweden: Olsen – Lustig (75. Krafth), Lindelöf, Danielson, Augustinsson – S. Larsson, Olsson (84. Cajuste), Ekdal, Forsberg (84. Bengtsson) – M. Berg (69. Quaison), Isak (69. Claesson). Coach: Andersson.
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