Spain 1-1 Poland: Player ratings as Furia Roja rue Moreno penalty miss
By Max Cooper
Spain were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Poland on Saturday evening, as their wait for three points in Euro 2020's Group E goes on.
La Furia Roja took the lead on 25 minutes, when Alvaro Morata darted in front of his marker to tap home from close range. His strike was initially ruled out by an offside flag, but VAR intervened and deemed the forward to have timed his movement perfectly, and the goal was awarded.
Poland almost pulled level on the stroke of half-time, but Robert Lewandowski couldn't beat Unai Simon, after Karol Swiderski's effort from the edge of the box struck the post and fell to the usually deadly forward.
Lewandowski got his revenge on 54 minutes, though, towering above Aymeric Laporte to head home Kamil Jozwiak's floated cross. That parity should have been cancelled out minutes later, when Gerard Moreno won a penalty, but he struck his spot-kick against the woodwork, and Morata fluffed the rebound.
Spain pushed to find a winner, and Szczesny had to be at his best to deny Morata again, bravely taking a shot to the face from point-blank range. But Luis Enrique's side couldn't find that killer goal, and they eventually had to settle for a point, throwing their progression to the knockout stages into question.
Let's check out the player ratings.
Spain player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Unai Simon (GK) - 7/10 - Nervously watched Klich's strike fly over the crossbar, but showed bags of confidence to rush off his line and stop Lewandowski netting a certain goal.
Marcos Llorente (RB) - 7/10 - So wasted at right-back, especially in a team which struggles to create clear cut chances. Did his defensive duties well, but was often found lingering in the final third, looking to create something.
Aymeric Laporte (CB) - 5/10 - Invited Swiderski in onto his left foot, which almost saw Poland equalise. Horrifically weak defending for the equaliser, allowing Lewandowski to bully him into the ground.
Pau Torres (CB) - 6/10 - A commanding enough first half, especially against the brilliant Lewandowski. Breathed a sigh of relief when Simon came to his rescue.
Jordi Alba (LB) - 7/10 - Bombed up the left flank, as you'd expect. Almost supplied the second, but Moreno couldn't tuck home his pinpoint cross. Dangerous.
2. Midfielders
Rodri (CM) - 6/10 - Almost put his entire team in danger with a poor pass, but Lewandowksi let him off the hook with a slip on the counter.
Koke (CM) - 7/10 - Typically battling in the middle. Used his knowledge of club teammate Llorente's style well, linking up with the full-back when possible.
Pedri (CM) - 7/10 - Produced some lovely touches in possession, twisting and turning to wriggle free of tight marking and look for a colleague. Showed his technique with a delicious pass to free Alba down the left. Ran himself into the ground.
3. Forwards
Gerard Moreno (RW) - 6/10 - Supplied the opener, taking a risk and trickling a dangerous ball into the heart of the box. Morata did the rest. Won the penalty, but couldn't hit the target. Disappointing.
Alvaro Morata (ST) - 7/10 - Has to be said, he timed his run perfectly for his goal. Darted behind his marker to pop up from nowhere and tap home. Great play. Somehow missed the rebound to Moreno's penalty. Should have had at least two or three.
Dani Olmo (LW) - 6/10 - A quiet first half, although his movement often made space for Alba to burst down the left wing to add width and supply the crosses.
4. Substitutes
Ferran Torres (LW) - 6/10
Fabian Ruiz (CM) - 7/10
Pablo Sarabia (RW) - 6/10
Mikel Oyarzabal (LW) - N/A
Poland player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - 8/10 - Could do little to deny Morata from close range, with such static defending ahead of him. Guessed the right way for Moreno's penalty, then turned Morata's strike around the post minutes later. Threw himself bravely in front of another Morata shot.
Bartosz Bereszynski (CB) - 6/10 - Completely bamboozled by Morata's movement for the opener. Didn't pick him up and let him just swoop in for the goal. Recovered to deliver a better second half.
Kamil Glik (CB) - 8/10 - Looked incensed at his teammates' poor defending, and became increasingly wound up at the chaos at the back. Led by example and defended well.
Jan Bednarek (CB) - 7/10 - A solid enough first half, even if his side did fall behind. Looked at ease with the experienced Glik by his side. Some heroic blocks at the end.
6. Midfielders
Kamil Jozwiak (RWB) - 7/10 - Allowed a few crosses to come in too easily from that right flank. Made amends with a beautiful delivery which Lewandowski couldn't miss.
Jakub Moder (CM) - 7/10 - A talented player. Didn't look out of place against some dangerous Spanish midfielders and held his own. Gave away the penalty for a clumsy challenge, but lived to tell the tale.
Mateusz Klich (CM) - 6/10 - Almost rocked Spain early on with a stinging strike from distance, but the effort whistled over the crossbar. Booked midway through the first half. Subbed.
Piotr Zielinski (CM) - 7/10 - A combative performance, attempting to keep Spain's pass masters at bay. Couldn't get on the ball to affect play in the opposition half.
Tymoteusz Puchacz (LWB) - 7/10 - Did a decent job at stopping deliveries in from his wing, although he couldn't prevent Moreno from cutting in and sliding the ball into Morata.
7. Forwards
Robert Lewandowski (ST) - 8/10 - Stick him in a Bayern shirt, and he's burying that first-half chance. Just couldn't tuck it away. Took his moment when it arrived in the second half, powering home a brilliant header.
Karol Swiderski (ST) - 7/10 - Flashed a shot just over the crossbar from close range. On the stretch. Rattled the post with a great strike from the edge of the box.
8. Substitutes
Kacper Kozlowski (CM) - 7/10
Przemysław Frankowski (CM) - 6/10
Pawel Dawidowicz (CB) - N/A
Karol Linetty (CM) - N/A