No goals in Spain-Portugal friendly ahead of Euro 2020

Madrid, Jun 4 (EFE).- Spain had 66 percent possession and outshot Portugal 10-5 here Friday, but had to settle for a scoreless draw in the penultimate friendly for both teams ahead of the Euro 2020 tournament.

For the first time in nearly 15 months, fans were admitted to Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium and all but 257 of the 15,000 seats made available were filled.

Ultimately, however, the game failed to deliver on the expectations generated by a matchup of 2016 European champions Portugal with La Roja, who won the competition in 2008 and 2012.

Coach Luis Enrique is right to describe Spain – with one loss in their last 22 – as a team that’s hard to beat, yet the side were ineffectual on the attack against Portugal.

The visitors also struggled on offense. Cristiano Ronaldo was not a major factor and Diogo Jota headed over the cross-bar on his best chance.

The only player on either side to put the ball in the net was Portugal defender Jose Fonte, who beat keeper Unai Simon with a header in the 23rd minute only to see the goal disallowed because he pivoted off Spain’s Pau Torres while going up for the ball.

Portuguese keeper Rui Patricio made his first stop four minutes into the second half, comfortably handling a shot from Alvaro Morata, who had an effort blocked by the defense in the 54th minute and sent the rebound wide.

Pablo Sarabia sent his strike over the open Portugal goal in the 57th minute on one of several opportunities created by Marcos Llorente.

Morata also fired high on a great chance in the 91st minute. EFE

Spain’s last pre-Euro outing is set for next Tuesday, when La Roja will host Lithuania. Portugal will be home to Israel the following day. EFE

id/dr