Published: June 23, 2021 6:55 pm
Last Updated: June 23, 2021 6:56 pm
1. Spain and penalties do not mix
As the call from the VAR monitor pointed to the penalty spot, the cheers from inside the Sevilla stadium were ones of delight. Clearly forgetful of the record Spain have from the spot, lost in the moment of a possible goal.
The record would pay dividends as Alvaro Morata, a player under intense pressure from his nation to lead La Roja’s line, put the ball to Martin Dubravka’s right at the perfect height to make a save.
The 5th penalty Spain have now missed in a row. Sergio Ramos with two, Abel Ruiz, Gerard Moreno and now the Juve forward.
Could yet another swap need to be made by Luis Enrique?
#ESP have now missed their last FIVE penalties!
How costly could that Morata miss be…#SVKESP | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/roQJMf6Lmx
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 23, 2021
2. Martin Dubravka is even more so
The Newcastle United goalkeeper saw a shot from Alvaro Morata hit the bar, obviously, and for a moment thought to be spared.
However, the ball suddenly hurtling back towards him as if out of some Tom and Jerry cartoon. What happened after appeared something further out of the fictional as Dubravka punched the ball into his own net to give Spain the lead.
The imagery of Morata’s perpetual pain in the replays turning to delight as the ball found its way into the back of the net felt justified.
“As goalkeeping errors go, that is a .”
Oh Martin Dubravka, look away now #SVKESP | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/Hlleq7Wtyn
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 23, 2021
3. Laporte’s Spanish arrival
Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte made the decision to change affiliation from France to Spain in order to play for them at the European Championships this summer.
With the absence of Sergio Ramos from Luis Enrique’s plans this summer there was much pressure and expectation from Laporte to be the main man in the defence. He achieved this not only by helping the side concede just the one goal across the three matches but by scoring his first goal too.
After a tenacious bit of play from Gerard Moreno, the Villarreal forward chipped the ball back into the box where Laporte was waiting to head delicately over the Slovakian goalkeeper.
Less than three weeks after his #ESP debut, Aymeric Laporte has his first international goal! #SVKESP | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/O4QzSYJirI
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 23, 2021
4. A glimpse of the Spain of old
In the opening two games in which Spain failed to win, the criticisms were scripted with the context of what has come before.
Spain of course won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships, sandwiching a World Cup title in 2010. After, Spanish football began its slow decline both on the international stage and domestically.
The current Spanish boss Luis Enrique managed what is considered the last great Barcelona side, winning a treble with Andreas Iniesta still integral to the group.
But as Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, David Villa, Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique and co have hung up their boots, some from the game entirely, a new crop is coming through with massive shoes to fill.
Enrique’s side lacked incisiveness and clinical attributes in the first two games but slick play against Slovakia brought with it a sight of what could be to come.
Clive Tyldesley in commentary used the words, “and that, looked more like Spain.” A performance to worry their prospective last 16 opponents.
“Now is more like Spain!”
Sarabia sweeps home in style – and #ESP are surely heading to the round of 16 ✅#SVKESP | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/LxbpBpRZyP
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 23, 2021
5. Slovakia deserve to go home
Opening day victory against Poland gave hope that’s the underdogs of the group Slovakia may progress further than anyone expected them to.
With a Sweden side lacking Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a Spain team in transition to come, some touted the Slovaks as a possible last 16 surprise package.
However, as shown in both games against Sweden and Spain, they simply lacked the quality in the final third.
With players like Dubravka and Skriniar being their best, an ageing Marek Hamsik in addition, the hope of goals was always a long shot.
Yet, to concede so many in their final game will certainly end their tournament with a humiliating feel to it. Regardless of the manner of how they conceded some of them, two own goals included.
Ferran Torres: scores 44 seconds after coming off the bench
Pau Torres: hold my beer…
It took just for the latest #ESP substitute to make his mark – and just try taking it off him! #SVKESP | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/kBa6gxywuO
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 23, 2021
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