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  • Spain 1-1 Poland: 5 talking points as Robert Lewandowski breaks Spanish hearts | UEFA Euro 2020 
Spain and Poland played out a 1-1 draw

Spain 1-1 Poland: 5 talking points as Robert Lewandowski breaks Spanish hearts | UEFA Euro 2020 

Alvaro Morata and Robert Lewandowski scored goals in each half to ensure that Spain and Poland could not be separated in a 1-1 draw in Seville.

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The Group E fixture concluded matchday two of the group stages of UEFA Euro 2020. And the hosts, Spain, came into the game on the back of a goalless draw with Sweden on the opening day.

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A victory for La Roja would have put them in prime position to secure qualification for the knockout round, with manager Luis Enrique making just one change to his starting lineup. Manchester City winger Ferran Torres made way for Villarreal man Gerard Moreno in attack.

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Poland had the first sight of a goal in the game when Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Klich's shot from the edge of the box grazed the top of the crossbar.

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Spain slowly eased into the game and expectedly controlled possession. They got their reward in the 25th minute when Alvaro Morata converted a mishit shot by Moreno with a one-time finish into the back of the net.

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The linesman initially ruled out the goal due to offside, but VAR consultations showed the Juventus man was onside in the buildup.

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This was Morata's 20th goal for Spain in what was his 42nd international appearance.

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Gerard Moreno had two good chances to get on the scoresheet in the final 15 minutes of the first half but failed to take them.

Poland were even more frivolous with their missed chances. First, Karol Swiderski inexplicably decided to attack a pristine cross by Lewandowski with his leg when an attempted header might have found the back of the net.

The next miss was even more surprising. Swiderski made amends for his earlier miss with a bullet shot that came off the post. But Robert Lewandowski shot the rebound straight at Unai Simon from six yards out which was far from the expected outcome.


Also Read: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Barcelona acting decisively in the transfer market, Manchester United working on Sancho and more


The Bayern Munich man was not to be denied a second time as he rose highest to glance home a wonderful header from Kamil Jozwiak's cross. It gave Simon no chance nine minutes after the restart.

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Poland lost their heads immediately and Spain were handed a lifeline just two minutes later. Italian referee Daniele Orsato pointed to the spot for a contentious penalty after consultations with the VAR.

Gerard Moreno won the spot-kick and dusted himself off to take it, but he could only strike the bottom right post with Szczesny beaten. Morata might have done better with the rebound but skied his shot above the post.

Spain upped the ante in the final moments of the game but some resolute defending by Poland ensured the two sides had to settle for a draw.

Here are five talking points from the game.


#5 Pressure mounting on Luis Enrique

Spain have been dire in two successive games
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Spain shook off their "perennial underachievers" tag in the last decade, with their utter dominance seeing the team enter discussions as one of the greatest international sides in history.

However, the golden generation has since bowed out, leaving La Furia Roja in a period of rebuilding.

The current crop of players are still world-beaters in their own right. But they are quite some way off the talent levels of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres and co.

Luis Enrique has done a remarkable job since he was named Spain's manager, but he garnered headlines when he released his final squad to prosecute the 2020 European Championship.

For starters, the former Barcelona manager elected not to use the maximum 26 slots allocated to each team and instead named a 24-man squad.

His list also saw Spain go into a major tournament without a Real Madrid player for the first time in history. The exclusion of star names led by Sergio Ramos also raised eyebrows.

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Spain were one of the favorites to go all the way in this tournament but the Iberian side have flattered to deceive in their two games so far.

Having been belabored to a goalless stalemate with Sweden on matchday one, another draw with Poland followed. And the manner in which they struggled for creativity in both games is a cause for concern.

Against the Swedes, Spain set a tournament record with 85% possession but failed to find the back of the net. It was more of the same against a resolute Poland defense.

The draw means that Spain still have their destiny in their hands in a must-win encounter against Slovakia. However, their performances so far have left a lot to be desired and Luis Enrique has to find a solution to the problem quickly.


Also Read: Paul Merson's column - Euro 2020: 5 surprise contenders for the Player of the Tournament award


#4 Kacper Kozlowski enters the European Championship record books against Spain

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Kacper Kozlowski made Euro history against Spain

Kacper Kozlowski came on for Mateusz Klich in the 55th minute. In the process, he entered the record books as the youngest player to ever make an appearance in the European Championship.

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At just 17 years and 246 days, the Pogon Szczecin midfielder broke the previous record set by Jude Bellingham. The England youngster briefly held the record when he came on for Harry Kane against Croatia six days ago.

Kozlowski is a highly-rated Polish youngster who has set his native league alight, and his performances have led to interest from some of Europe's top guns.

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The 17-year-old is definitely no stranger to breaking records, having made his league debut at the tender age of 15 years and 215 days. He also survived a horrific car crash earlier in the year and returned to full fitness in time to make his senior international bow in March.

As the youngest player in the entire tournament, Kacper Kozlowski's record is set to remain for at least three years. And his compatriots will be hoping that he can hit the heights expected.

#3 Thrilling draw leaves it all to play for in Group E

Spain and Poland have it all to play for in the final game
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Spain were favorites to top Group E, with home advantage in the group also tipping the scales heavily in their favor.

However, two lackluster displays have left the three-time European champions with a mountain to climb. Anything other than a victory against Slovakia on Wednesday might not be enough to secure progress to the knockout rounds.

Poland came into this clash bottom of the standings and results elsewhere meant that a defeat to Spain would have seen them become the first team to be eliminated from the tournament.

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The draw means the Poles still have a strong chance of progression and a win against Sweden in the final game could swing the table around in Group E.


#2 Robert Lewandowski steps up to be counted against Spain

Robert Lewandowski scored his 67th international goal in the game against Spain
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Robert Lewandowski has unarguably been the standout striker in the world over the last two years. A case can be made to consider him the best player on the planet bar none.

The Bayern Munich forward has set records tumbling faster than you can say goal. He would have been the shoo-in winner for the 2020 Ballon d'Or had it not been canceled.

However, the 33-year-old has not been able to translate this form onto the international scene in major tournaments.

Poland have largely flattered to decieve in tournaments despite having a solid crop of players who can be considered dark horses.

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It was rather surprising that Lewandowski came into the game against Spain with a paltry record of two goals in 12 tournament matches for his country. It is not far-fetched to suggest that the tournament struggles of the former Borussia Dortmund man are a major factor in his nation's larger malaise in international competitions.

Lewandowski had another game to forget against Slovakia. The unfortunate injury sustained by strike partner Arkadiusz Milik on the eve of the tournament has played a big role in his loneliness up top.

Against Spain, the Poland captain missed a glit-edged opportunity in the first half before making amends with an expertly-placed header to give his nation a lifeline in the final match.


Also Read: Jim Beglin's column - Euro 2020: 5 players who could impress in unfamiliar positions


#1 Gerard Moreno goes from hero to zero

Moreno had an assist and missed a penalty for Spain
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Gerard Moreno has been one of the most consistent attackers in La Liga over the last three years and it came as no surprise when he became a regular for Spain at the age of 27.

The 29-year-old came into Euro 2020 off the back of a brilliant domestic campaign that saw him score a career-high 23 goals in La Liga. He also provided seven assists to finish as the second highest goalscorer in the league, behind only Lionel Messi.

This was the second consecutive season the Villarreal man finished as the Spanish player with the most goals in the top-flight. As a result, many tipped him to be the talisman in attack for Luis Enrique.


Also Read: Ten best forwards in La Liga this season (2020-21)


Having started the first game on the bench, Moreno made his way into the starting lineup and kickstarted things with an assist for Morata's opener.

However, the 29-year-old missed a handful of good opportunities to get on the scoresheet with the biggest coming when he struck the post from 12 yards out.

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Enrique hauled Moreno off for midfielder Fabian Ruiz in the 65th minute despite Spain needing a goal. It remains to be seen whether the Villarreal man will be handed another opportunity in the must-win clash against Slovakia.


Also Read: Six greatest players who never received an international cap

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Edited by
Samya Majumdar
 
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