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The Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid played host to a high-profile clash between two great rivals in Spain and Portugal, as the two European giants went head-to-head ahead of Euro 2020. The game promised to be an exciting affair considering the pedigree of the teams, but it never really satisfied expectations and ended 0-0.
Spain started the game strongly and dominated proceedings, as 20,000 home fans cheered them on from the stands. Luis Enrique opted to start Marcos Llorente at right-back and handed a debut to Aymeric Laporte, who opted to represent La Roya over France last month.
Portugal, on the other hand, struggled to get going, with Cristiano Ronaldo not seeing much of the ball over the course of the 90 minutes. The Portuguese talisman did have a glorious opportunity to score in the second half, but his header flashed past Unai Simon's far post after he diverted a Bruno Fernandes free-kick goalwards.
Spain created better chances, but the two-time European champions lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. Alvaro Morata pretty much summed up La Roya's struggles in the final third, as he missed a gilt-edged opportunity to win the game for his side late in the game.
On that note, here are five talking points from the game, as the two sides canceled each other out in Spain.
#5 Portugal looked disjointed upfront
Fernando Santos opted to start a front-three of Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo. While Portugal's attack looked star-studded on paper, they didn't combine particularly well against a resolute Spain backline.
Felix cut a frustrated figure and failed to make his presence felt, while Ronaldo didn't enjoy his finest night in front of goal. Santos' decision to start the Atletico Madrid man as a center forward backfired, indicating that Ronaldo will return to his preferred position in the games ahead.
#4 Unai Simon looks nailed on to be Spain's #1 goalkeeper
Unai Simon started ahead of David De Gea and Robert Sanchez between the sticks despite blowing hot and cold for Athletic Bilbao in the 2020-21 season. The young goalkeeper endured a nervy moment in the first half and nearly gifted Cristiano Ronaldo a goal, but he looked assured as the game went on.
Enrique's decision to start the 23-year-old in Spain's first friendly indicates that he is likely to persist with him at the European Championships, as managers don't usually make too many changes in the goalkeeping department. If Simon starts Spain's friendly against Lithuania next week, he should head into Euro 2020 as La Roya's first-choice goalkeeper.
#3 Aymeric Laporte impresses on Spain debut
Aymeric Laporte made his debut for Spain and produced an eye-catching display at the heart of Spain's backline. The Manchester City center back didn't feature as regularly as he'd have liked in the 2020-21 season, but he showed his class on his international debut and marshaled the backline expertly.
He slotted in alongside Villarreal defender Pau Torres and looked comfortable with the ball at his feet, while his ability to pick out long passes was also on display a handful of times.
In the absence of Sergio Ramos, Spain are crying out for a reliable central defender who can lead the backline. Laporte is relatively new to the international stage, but he's an experienced campaigner at club level and should play a key role for Spain at Euro 2020 if he carries on playing like this.
#2 Portugal's midfield left a lot to be desired
Portugal's midfield trio of Danilo Pereira, Sergio Oliveira and Renato Sanches were unable to control the game, as Spain dominated proceedings in the center of the park. Sanches looked threatening in flashes, but Oliveira failed to get going on the night, while Danilo didn't influence the game as much from a deeper midfield position.
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes came on as a second-half substitute and will undoubtedly return to the starting XI in the games ahead, but Portugal were comfortably outmaneuvered by the likes of Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara and Fabian Ruiz.
Joao Moutinho is an experienced campaigner and knows what it takes to represent Portugal on the big stage, having plied his trade for the national team for well over a decade. The Wolves man could earn a recall for the next game and will look to stake his claim for a starting XI spot at Euro 2020.
#1 Marcos Llorente could be Spain's answer to their right-back woes
With Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vasquez missing due to injuries, Cesar Azpilicueta is the only out-and-out right back in the Spain squad currently. With the Chelsea captain rested after his involvement in the UEFA Champions League final, Marcos Llorente was tasked with filling in for him.
The Atletico Madrid man, though, has played as a right-back on a few occasions for Diego Simeone and showed his versatility with an assured performance. Llorente is primarily a central midfielder, but the former Real Madrid star impressed in an unfamiliar position for La Roya, indicating that he could make the right-back spot his own.
Azpilicueta is definitely the safer choice, but the veteran defender isn't getting any younger and plays his best football in a back three. Llorente's energy and ability to take on opposition defenders could sway Enrique into giving him another run out before making a decision on who to start at right-back for Euro 2020.
