Euro 2020 Qualifiers: 5 Players who dominated the international break with excellent performances

#4 Alvaro Morata (Spain)

Morata was superb for Spain

Alvaro Morata has endured a torrid time over the past couple of seasons. A year on from becoming Chelsea’s all-time record signing, he found himself as the target of the Stamford Bridge faithful’s criticism.

Often lamented by the media and fans for his lack of goal-scoring contribution, the Spaniard’s level of performances nosedived in England. Thus, the forward decided to swap England for the relatively sunnier Spain.

Morata joined hands with Atletico Madrid and it instantly impacted him positively. The confidence returned and above all, he had started enjoying his football again. Hence, when the international break rolled in, numerous eyes were trained upon how the forward would fare. To his credit, he lived up to his billing.

Though he didn’t score at home to Norway, Morata bagged a couple of goals away at Malta. Against the latter, the Spaniard held the ball up adroitly and brought his teammates into play. Moreover, his constant movement off the ball provided his midfielders with options to play the ball forward.

The first goal against Malta arrived courtesy some superb running and finishing. As for the second goal, Morata again shrugged off his marker before powering a header past the Malta keeper.

Once touted as one of the brightest Spanish prospects, the forward’s career was in danger of ending as an anti-climax. Yet, in recent times, Morata has portrayed the quality that once made him a feared striker.

And while it might be a little premature to say that the forward is back to his best, there are certainly signs that he is on an upward curve.