Brilliant Gavi, but Spain only draws with Portugal

When two good teams with technically sound footballers meet against each other, they usually play a dull game, since the players just deny each other. It wasn’t like that in tonight’s game between Spain and Portugal, and we managed to see two goals and a couple of excellent chances from both clubs. More than enough for the first game in League A, Group 2 match between Spain and Portugal: 1-1.

This was another good display for the Spaniards, and they have only themselves to blame for not winning this one, since they were better and created more chances then the guests. The man of the match was certainly Gavi, who was unstoppable, and created two chances, out of which one ended in a goal. Coach Luis Enrique can be happy with this young man’s display, he is certainly the future of Spanish football. On the other hand, the Portuguese failed to take control in possession despite having some great players on the pitch like Silva, Moutinho or Fernandes. Cristiano Ronaldo started the match from the bench and came in for the last half an hour, but did nothing worth remembering.

The Spaniard ruled in the first half. They had control in possession, they had good chances, and they scored the goal. Gavi was a standout as he caused problems for the guests almost every time he had the ball. He started the action which led to the first goal, when he took the ball deep in his half, ran for about 40 meters and made a beautiful pass to Sarabia, who saw that Morata was already in front of Pepe and it was a capitulation in three moves for 1-0.

Spain (and Gavi in particular) continued to press, and Barca’s midfielder made a great assist to Soler, whose shot was saved by the feet of Diogo Costa... and with the second shot he fired over. The only thing the Portuguese did in the first half was the shot from Leipzig’s Andre Silva which ended near the right post. Not even a shot on target...But that was about to change in the second half, as Portugal started to play football and create chances. Milan’s Leao had the best one, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Spanish keeper Simion. Spain had some good spells, but they were short and didn’t result in any goals. That is why the punishment came in the 82nd minute, when Cancelo’s excellent cross met Ricardo Horta for the equalizer.

Spain had less than 10 minutes to score the winner, and they nearly made it, but Jordi Alba, one of the most experienced ones, missed an unbelievable opportunity in the 87th minute. Spain manager Jose Enrique shook his head in disbelief and minutes later it was all over. Spain missed their chances and Portugal managed to sneak with a draw in Seville.

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

LEAGUE A, ROUND 1

Group 4

Wednesday

Poland - Wales 2-1 (0-0)

/Kaminski 72, Swiderski 85 - Williams 52/

Friday

21.45: (2.35) Belgium (3.40) Netherlands (3.25)

Group 1

Friday

21.45: (2.20) Croatia (3.30) Austria (3.70)

21.45: (1.75) France (3.70) Denmark (5.40)

Group 2

Thursday

Czech R. - Switzerland 2-1 (1-1)

/Kuchta 11, Sow 58 (og) - Okafor 44/

Spain - Portugal 1-1 (1-0)

/Morata 25 - Horta 82/

Group 3

Saturday

19.00: (10.0) Hungary (4.50) England (1.42)

21.45: (2.60) Italy (3.30) Germany (2.90)

***odds are subject to change

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UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

LEAGUE C, ROUND 1

Thursday

Georgia - Gibraltar 4-0 (2-0)

/Kvaratskhelia 12, Kashia 33, MIkautadze 87, Quazaihsvili 88/

Cyprus - Kosovo 0-2 (0-0)

/Berisha 65, Zhegrova 78/

Bulgaria - Macedonia 1-1 (1-0)

/Despodov 13 - Ristovski 50/

N.Ireland - Greece 0-1 (0-1)

/Bakasetas 39/

Friday

17.00: (2.60) Kazakhstan (2.95) Azerbaijan (3.00)

21.45: (5.40) Belarus (3.60) Slovakia (1.70)

Saturday

19.00: (3.40) Lithuania (2.95) Luxembourg (2.40)

21.45: (1.12) Turkey (9.00) Faroe I. (20.0)

***odds are subject to change