Bayern Munich star rescues national side against wasteful Spain – originally posted on Sportslens.com
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski came to Poland’s rescue to cancel out Alvaro Morata’s first half opener in Seville, to tee up a fascinating final day in Group E.
Both sides were looking for their first Euro 2020 win and the game started with an electric tempo.
The first real chance fell to Mateusz Klich after six minutes, as he fired a fierce effort just over the bar from 25 yards out.
Dani Olmo fashioned Spain’s first real chance shortly before the quarter-hour mark, though his effort was straight at Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Spain continued to grow into the game and progressed further up the pitch, and La Furia Roja had the ball in the back of the net with 25 minutes on the clock.
Morata ghosted into the box and reacted fastest to poke home Gerard Moreno’s cross shot before immediately embracing manager Luis Enrique, who opted to start the Juventus man after a poor display in his side’s opener against Sweden.
Moreno sent a dangerous freekick just wide of Szczesny’s post after 34 minutes, but Poland really should have equalised just a minute later, as Karol Swiderski’s wild effort sailed over the bar from close range after Lewandowski’s lofted ball into the box.
Poland fans were left on the edge of their seats as they again came close as the first-half drew to a close.
Swiderski’s venomous shot from outside the area rattled the post, and Lewandowski could not sort his feet out to tap home the rebound, as Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon stayed big to prevent the Bayern Munich star from scoring.
One nearly became two for Spain deep into added time at the end of the half as Jordi Alba’s brilliant ball found Moreno down the left, however the number nine could only find the side netting.
Poland manager Paulo Sausa and his players knew they had to find a goal to keep their knockout stage hopes alive, and up stepped captain Lewandowski nine minutes in to the second half.
Jakub Moder’s smart turn in the middle of the park set his side on the attack as the ball was played out to Kamil Jozwiak, whose lofted cross was met by an exquisite Lewandowski header.
Poland’s main man rose highest in the Spanish penalty area to fire his country back into the contest.
Unfortunately, Poland’s jubilation was short lived, as Spain were awarded a penalty moments later.
Referee Daniele Orsato awarded the spot-kick after checking a late challenge on Moreno on the pitchside monitor.
Moreno collected the ball to take his side’s penalty, however the Villareal man crashed his effort against the post with Morata unable to follow up on the rebound.
Spain continued to hunt for a winner as Poland were gradually forced to retreat for the remainder of the contest.
Szczesny tipped Morata’s effort out for a corner on minute 65, as substitute Ferran Torres flicked a header wide unmarked, with just over 15 minutes left on the clock.
A shock winner looked to be on the cards for Poland as they broke away in the 77th minute as Lewandowski sent substitute Przemyslaw Frankowski down the right-hand side.
However, the youngster’s final ball was poor, and easily read by Pau Torres.
Szczesny atoned from some nervous goalkeeping with five minutes to go, as he reacted quickly to bravely smother Morata’s point-blank effort.
That was to be the game’s final clear-cut chance as the referee bought and end to a thrilling encounter at the Estadio de La Cartuja.
Spain remain winless and sit third in the Group E standings. Whilst Poland recorded their first point, but know a win against Sweden would send them through.
It remains all to play for heading into the final day of fixtures in Group E this coming Wednesday.
Spain
Unai Simon (7/10) – A solid display from the Athletic Bilbao stopper. Nothing he could have done for Lewandowski’s opener, but pulled of a smart save to stop the Pole late in the first half.
Marcos Llorente (6/10) – A quiet display from an individual key to Atletico Madrid’s La Liga triumph this season. Unable to offer enough going forward.
Aymeric Laporte (6/10) – Not strong enough for Lewandowski’s equaliser, relatively unscathed otherwise.
Pau Torres (6/10) – Kept Poland’s attack largely at bay, key block to deny Poland late on.
Jordi Alba (7/10) – Captain’s performance. Arguably Spain’s best player on the pitch, solid defensively and a threat going forward.
Koke (6/10) – Quiet night for the Atletico captain, struggled to influence the game.
Rodri (6/10) – Solid defensively but offered little going forward. A shadow of the performances put in for Manchester City this season.
Pedri (6/10) – The 18-year-old struggled to make his mark on the game, not helped by lacklustre performances from those around him.
Gerard Moreno (6/10) – Cross shot earnt him an assist, but penalty miss proved costly. Wasteful on the stroke of half time too.
Alvaro Morata (7/10) – Smart movement throughout, alert to prod home his side’s goal. On another night could have bagged himself a hat-trick.
Dani Olmo (6/10) – Largely ineffective, unable to assert himself on the game offensively.
Substitutes
Ferran Torres (6/10)
Fabian Ruiz (5/10)
Pablo Sarabia (6/10)
Mikel Oyarzabal (NA/10)
Poland
Wojciech Szczesny (7/10) – Nervy moments that on another night could have been punished. Did however, guess the right way for Moreno’s penalty and denied Morata moments later. Pulled off a vital stop late on to deny his Juve teammate once more.
Jan Bednarek (7/10) *MOTM* – A big performance from the Southampton man. A commanding display with a series of vital tackles and blocks.
Kamil Glik (6/10) – A fiery performance from the veteran. Solid all round.
Bartosz Bereszynski (6/10) – Not as influential as his fellow centre half’s, a fairly reassured performance nevertheless.
Tymoteusz Puchacz (6/10) – Fairly comfortable at preventing deliveries from Spain on his flank, although allowed Moreno to beat him too easily for the game’s opener.
Jakub Moder (6/10) – The 22-year-old did not look fazed in midfield with some high-profile Spanish names surrounding him. Poor decision making to give away a penalty, however instigated the attack for his side’s goal.
Mateusz Klich (6/10) – Fierce drive early on and made his presence known. Clumsy challenge to go into the book, subbed early on in the second half.
Kamil Jozwiak (7/10) – Allowed a few too many crosses into the box from his right-hand side but delivered a beautiful cross for Lewandowski’s equaliser. Vital moment in Poland’s comeback.
Piotr Zielinski (6/10) – A lively performance, constantly covering ground to keep Spain’s pass masters at bay.
Karol Swiderski (6/10) – Missed a big chance at the end of the first-half but threatened the Spain defence. Desperately unlucky with a fierce drive on the stroke of half time.
Robert Lewandowski (7/10) – There is no doubting that Poland’s talisman would have put away the host of chances Spain’s forwards had throughout the night. Couldn’t sought his feet out to tuck away a rebound in the first half, but delivered when it mattered most. Big moment for a big player.
Substitutes
Kacper Kozlowski (6/10)
Przemyslaw Frankowski (5/10)
Pawel Dawidowicz (NA/10)
Karol Linetty (NA/10)
Read also: Euro 2020 Fixtures and Results.
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Author:Eli Haidari