Portugal and Spain have drawn 0-0 in a friendly before the UEFA Nations League
By Rabindra Dhungel, 8 october 2020. Portugal and Spain have drawn 0-0 in a friendly before the UEFA Nations League. Despite putting pressure on the home side in Wednesday night’s game in Portugal, Spain could not score and the game ended in a goalless draw. In the second minute of the game, Daniel Olmo wasted a beautiful opportunity to score and Spain lost the lead.
Portugal goalkeeper Rui Paticio intercepted a pass from Olmo beating Gerard Moreno on a Gerard Moreno pass. In the fifth minute, Olmo missed again through a pass from Daniel Sevallos. In the 11th minute, Sergio Roberto’s pass from Rodrigo’s 20-yard shot could not take the direction of the post.
Soon after, Olmo’s shot from Sergio Riguelon’s pass was easily controlled by goalkeeper Patricio. In the 25th minute, Renato Sanchez’s shot from captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s pass missed Portugal’s lead just outside the crossbar.
In the 30th minute, Andre Silva’s header failed to find the back of the net as Ruwen Semedo deflected Joe Moutinho’s cross. In the 43rd minute, Portugal wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead. Ronaldo’s pass from Renato Sanchez, Rafael Guerrero’s 10-yard shot from outside the crossbar.
In the 45th minute, a header from Ronaldo trapping offside a bit on Moutinho’s free kick did not take the direction of the post. In the 53rd minute, Ronaldo’s powerful shot hit the crossbar and Portugal missed the lead. Sanchez’s strike on the rebound also skyrocketed. In the 67th minute, another Sanchez shot from Ronaldo’s pass hit the crossbar and Portugal missed.
In the 75th minute, Trinco’s shot from Joao Felix’s pass was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Kipa Arizabalaga. Although some golden opportunities were created by both the teams during the injury time, the match ended in a goalless draw. Portugal substituted Ronaldo in the 73rd minute and Spain fielded veteran defender and captain Sergio Ramos in the second half.
These two teams have competed for the first time since 2018. The two teams drew 3-3 in the group stage of the World Cup on June 15, 2018 in Russia. In which Ronaldo completed a hat trick and tied the game. Portugal, who are in Group 3 of the Nations League A after a friendly, will play world champions France in the third round on October 12 and Sweden on October 15.
Portugal leads the group with six points from two games. Despite having the same six points, France is in second place in goal difference while Sweden and Croatia are in third and fourth place without points.
Spain, ranked 4th in the League of Nations, is scheduled to play Switzerland on October 11 and Ukraine on October 14. Spain tops the group with four points from two games. Ukraine has 3 points and Germany has 2 points. Switzerland is at the bottom with 1 point.