Spain 0-0 Portugal: 5 hits and flops as Iberian derby ends goalless again | International friendly 2021

Spain and Portugal play out another boring 0-0 draw
Spain and Portugal play out another boring 0-0 draw

In a repeat of last October's Iberian derby, Spain and Portugal once again played out a goalless stalemate.

Both sides were guilty of missing a few chances, especially the hosts, who were left frustrated by Alvaro Morata's wastefulness in attack.

The striker even missed a great chance to seal victory at the death. He blazed his stoppage-time effort against the crossbar after being sent through on goal with only Rui Patricio to beat.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick in this fixture at the World Cup three years ago, had a quiet evening. He saw a header drift just agonizingly wide off the post late on.

The match was played on an even keel with neither side particularly dominant and they will look forward to their next game. Spain welcome Lithuania while Portugal are at home to Israel, and both sides will be hoping to find some form before kicking off the main-event.

Here are the hits and flops from the match:


Flop: Alvaro Morata (Spain)

Morata showed why he shouldn't be starting for Spain at the Euros
Morata showed why he shouldn't be starting for Spain at the Euros

This was a golden chance for Alvaro Morata to stake a claim to the striker's role ahead of Gerard Moreno, who only came off the bench in the second-half. But the Juventus star misfired badly and even wasted a crucial opportunity in stoppage-time to secure a smash-and-grab winner.

Coming off the back of a successful club season, there was a lot of expectation from Morata, who clearly isn't the man to lead the line for La Roja. He could've easily had a second-half hat-trick, or at least become a Spanish hero with a late strike after being sent through on goal with only Rui Patricio to beat, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

At this point, Gerard Moreno, who scored 23 goals in La Liga for Villarreal last season, seems like a better option.


Hit: Pepe-Jose Fonte centre-back partnership (Portugal)

Find a better 35+ centre-back partnership. We'll wait.
Find a better 35+ centre-back partnership. We'll wait.

Both players are in their late 30s and yet remain indispensable for the reigning European champions at the heart of their backline. Today, the veterans once again joined forces in the centre-back positions and kept Spain at bay for most of the match.

Pepe, 38, brought silk and steel to Portugal's defense while Fonte, 37, was more adventurous, breaking forward a few times and laying some neat passes. He even saw a headed goal disallowed in the first-half.

The Pepe-Fonte partnership might well be this Euro's best.

Also Read: Fabrizio Romano’s Transfer Roundup: Update on Lionel Messi’s contract, Chelsea’s plan for the summer and more

Flop: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Ronaldo's hat-trick against Spain looks like a distant memory as he fired another blank in the derby
Ronaldo's hat-trick against Spain looks like a distant memory as he fired another blank in the derby

Just like his Juventus team-mate at the other end, Cristiano Ronaldo too endured a tough evening. He struggled to break down Spain's well-drilled backline and looked well below his usual, menacing self. That isn't a good sign for Portugal as the Euros are just days away.

The prolific Selecao captain made a few wayward attempts in the match. He did come really close during the final 10 minutes of the game, but could only fire a good chance straight at Simon before heading a Bruno Fernandes free-kick just wide off the post.

A forgetful return to Madrid for the former Los Blancos ace.


Hit: Aymeric Laporte (Spain)

Laporte earned Spain a clean sheet on his international debut
Laporte earned Spain a clean sheet on his international debut

Aymeric Laporte played his first international game with Spain since switching from France and gave a good account of himself. Playing alongside Pau Torres at the heart of their backline, the Manchester City star even helped La Roja to a clean sheet.

He was hooked off in 79th minute with a slight niggle and Luis Enrique will hope nothing is serious. But it was an impressive debut from him by all accounts, making some crucial blocks and interceptions while looking right at home in the Spanish defense.

In all likelihood, Laporte will start in the Euros.


Flop: The Iberian derby

The European powerhouses offered no great shakes again
The European powerhouses offered no great shakes again

Spain and Portugal clashed for the second time in seven months. On neither occasion we saw any shades of their pulsating encounter at the Russian showpiece which produced a six-goal thriller.

Their last October meeting ended goalless in Lisbon, and now the Iberian derby in Madrid once again saw a cagey affair, with chances coming few and far between.

It's not the most ideal scenario for either team, who're expected to go deep into the upcoming competition. They will look towards their next friendlies to find attacking rhythm.

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