Spain's Euro 2020 frustrations continued as they settled for a 1-1 draw with Poland in Group E action on Saturday night at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville.
2020 European Championship
1-1
Match Report
Alvaro Morata gave his side a first half lead, only to see world class striker Robert Lewandowski answer for Poland in the second period. Still, La Roja had the three points on a silver platter via the penalty spot, but Gerard Moreno's attempt struck the woodwork instead of the back of the net, resulting in a share of the spoils.
Spain are now faced with a must-win on Wednesday against Slovakia to ensure that their title hopes remain intact.
Head coach Luis Enrique was true to his word when he announced in his pre-match press conference on Friday that his starting XI would be Morata "and 10 others", with the maligned Juventus man up front along with Moreno, who came in for Ferran Torres in what was the only change from the previous line-up against Sweden.
After some early bright moments for Poland, Spain soon assumed control and had an argument for a penalty when Moreno was pushed down from behind in the area, but nothing was forthcoming from Italian referee Daniele Orsato.
Morata's moment would come midway through the half, with a bit of a boost from VAR, as it was ruled that Morata's redirect into net off a Moreno shot came from an onside position, giving Spain a 1-0 lead.
There was a spring in Spain's step after the Morata goal and Moreno almost made it two when a free-kick from just outside the area curled wide.
But Poland were just as keen to find a goal and they had two clear-cut cracks at goal right before half-time. From outside the area, Karol Swiderski slammed a shot off the post, with Lewandowski pouncing on the rebound and having just Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon to beat, but the Bayern Munich man could not find a way past the Basque back-stop.
Poland kept pressing for an equaliser and it arrived in short order in the second half when Lewandowski out-muscled Aymeric Laporte in front of goal and headed in a cross from Kamil Jozwiak to bring the visitors level 1-1.
More drama was to come just minutes later when a penalty went in Spain's favour via VAR for a Mateusz Klich foul on Moreno in the Polish area, but the Villarreal man's spot kick banged off the post and the rebounded shot from Morata missed the mark with the goal wide open.
Luis Enrique went to his bench for the first time right after the hour mark, with Ferran Torres on for Dani Olmo, followed a bit later by Pablo Sarabia and Fabian Ruiz for Koke and Moreno, respectively.
Spain mounted the pressure as time continued ticking toward full-time, the most glaring chance being for Morata after a chested-down pass from Ferran Torres, but veteran Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny came up with a massive save.
Luis Enrique's last roll of the dice saw Mikel Oyarzabal on for Morata, but it mattered little in what was an unimaginative close to the match from the fancied hosts, who now have a lot of work to do in their group finale on Wednesday.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start
7' CLOSE! Klich's long shot over the bar
12' Pau Torres' long shot wide out
17' CLOSE! Morata's shot blocked
24' GOAL! Spain 1-0 Poland (Morata)
34' CLOSE! Moreno's free-kick inches wide
35' Yellow Card! Klich booked
43' CLOSE! Swiderski's shot hits the post and Lewandowski's shot saved
53' GOAL! Spain 1-1 Poland (Lewandowski)
57' Penalty Missed! (Moreno)
79' CHANCE! Rodri's goal denied
84' AGAIN! Morata misses a good chance!
Line-ups
Spain XI: Alba, Morata, Koke, G. Moreno, Laporte, Llorente, Unai Simón, Olmo, Rodri, P. Torres, Pedri
Subs: Azpilicueta, De Gea, Thiago, Sarabia, Gaya, Traore, D.Llorente, Fabian Ruiz, Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Robert Sanchez, Eric Garcia
Poland XI: Szczesny, Lewandowski, Glik, M. Klich, Bereszynski, Zielinski, Bednarek, K. Świderski, K. Jóźwiak, T. Puchacz, Jakub Moder
Subs: Fabianski, Rybus, Skorupski, T. Kędziora, J. Świerczok, Linetty, Kownacki, P. Frankowski, Dawidowicz, M. Helik, P. Płacheta, K. Kozłowski