Gerard Moreno missed a penalty and Alvaro Morata wasted the return when Spain’s scoring year struck again on Saturday, a 1-1 draw with Poland that left them facing a battle to reach the 16s in Euro 2020.
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Morata scored from close range to put Spain in front but Robert Lewandowski’s excellent header, his 60th goal of the season, pulled Poland level before Moreno’s penalty came back from the post.
The return came quickly to Morata but with Wojciech Szczesny committed to the right, the goal was open for the striker to make his second.
Instead, the ball flew by and Spain had to settle for another disappointing draw in Group E, which means that they may have to beat Slovakia on Wednesday to avoid an embarrassing early exit.
The whistles that followed Morata in the initial stalemate with Sweden last week were saved for the entire Spanish team at the final whistle.
Poland, meanwhile, formed a riot on the pitch before crossing to greet their supporters in the arena, with the deadly Lewandowski coming up trump again to keep his team’s hopes of progress alive.
Luis Enrique had launched a passionate and prepared defense of Morata on Friday when he said the team would be “Morata and 10 others”.
But he also replaced Ferran Torres in the starting line-up with Moreno, the Villarreal striker whose 23 goals were second only to Lionel Messi last season in La Liga and who many thought should have replaced Morata.
Instead, they both played and both were reprehensible in the decisive moment of the game, although Moreno would otherwise have been bright, his shot taped up Morata’s opener.
Dangerous Poland
Morata almost gave up an early penalty with an overly zealous challenge in the box, while Mateusz Klich ripped the top of the net with an attempt from distance shortly after.
Spain were the best side in possession, with Morata trying a delicate chip when power could have been better, but Poland were dangerous at the break, Lewandowski tore apart after a poor pass from Rodri only to be wiped out by Jordi Alba.
Morata’s best moment came in the 25th minute and it could hardly have been easier, even if a small mix put him in the right position to poke in Moreno’s shot from the right.
The offside flag went up and the Spanish players seemed to expect the cancellation but instead the goal stood and made Alba throw his arms around Morata, who then hurried over to his coach, a thank you for believing in him.
However, Poland came back and twice went close before half time, Karol Swiderski hit the post with a curling shot that came back for Lewandowski, but he hit Unai Simon, who saved.
Lewandowski made no mistake nine minutes after half-time, scaled to the back post, pushed Aymeric Laporte to make the spot and looked a skilful nod in the corner.
Spain should have restored their lead after receiving a dubious penalty for Klich who left a late foot on Moreno.
Moreno went up but ran his penalty against the post and with the goalkeeper talented, Morata could have scored as well but he scuffed the return wide.
Moreno was sacked shortly after, while Torres, as a replacement, nodded wide when he was free in the area. Morata could not arrange his feet on a chance, before Szczesny tipped into a corner and then saved Rodris’ run.
The openings continued to come for Morata when Torres came down to him but Szczesny suffocated goal and the collision made the Spanish striker hobble off with four minutes left.
He was applauded this time but the whistles for the team came shortly after.