'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Luis Enrique's tweaks seem to be working for Spain
Spain dominated most of the first half with crisp and excellent passing routines. Rodrigo was heavily involved in Spain's build-up play against Portugal and started on the right flank in this game. Dani Ceballos accompanied Sergio Busquets in the midfield and both players were excellent on the day.
Luis Enrique has been experimenting with his combinations in Spain's recent games and will have seen several indications of improvement in this game. Spain broke Portugal's lines with consummate ease in the first half and a fair share of the credit must go to Luis Enrique.
The former Barcelona manager was also alert to the situation in the second half and never allowed Portugal to get a firm grip on the game. Luis Enrique has focussed on steady improvement with Spain and should be able to field a robust line-up in the coming months.
#2 Portugal have one of the most dangerous attacking line-ups in Europe
Portugal started the game with a new-look front three of Andre Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Francisco Trincao. While Andre Silva spent most of the game chasing shadows, Trincao and Ronaldo had several bright moments in a first half that was largely dominated by Spain.
Portugal's attacking line came to life in the second half with the introduction of Bernardo Silva. The winger's movement on the right flank stretched the pitch and gave Portugal several avenues in the final third.
Fernando Santos also had the luxury of bringing on Joao Felix and Diogo Jota towards the end of the game. With Goncalo Guedes also waiting in the wings, Portugal's outrageous attacking talent makes them one of the most formidable forces in Europe.
#1 Spain's new generation has tremendous potential
Luis Enrique came into this game with the objective of testing his squad's fringe players. The Spanish coach rested the likes of Ferran Torres, Sergio Ramos, and Fabian Ruiz and allowed his bench strength to come to the fore.
The results will have come as a pleasant surprise to Spain's management. The likes of Dani Olmo and Gerard Moreno had excellent games and suffocated Portugal in the first half. Arsenal star Dani Ceballos ran the show for Spain in the midfield with an immaculate display.
Spain also started the game with a new-look defensive line with Sergio Reguilon and Sergi Roberto occupying the full-back positions. Eric Garcia and Diego Llorente were rock-solid in central defence with the former, in particular, putting in an extraordinarily confident shift against one of the most lethal attacks in Europe.
Spain still have plenty of work to do ahead of an important year for international football. Luis Enrique is known for his ability to bring the best out of his team's younger charges and has done an excellent job so far with Spain's transitional phase.
