Wasteful Spain struggle to 1-1 draw with Poland

Spain were again haunted by their inability to finish off chances as they drew 1-1 with Poland on Saturday (June 19) after missing a second-half penalty to leave their hopes of making the Euro 2020 knockouts hanging in the balance.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - Group E - Spain v Poland - La Cartuja Stadium, Seville, Spain - June 19, 2021 Poland's Piotr Zielinski in action with Spain's Alvaro Morata. (Photo: Reuters)
Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - Group E - Spain v Poland - La Cartuja Stadium, Seville, Spain - June 19, 2021 Poland's Piotr Zielinski in action with Spain's Alvaro Morata. (Photo: Reuters)

Alvaro Morata gave Spain the lead in the 25th minute but Poland, who had hit the woodwork twice in the first half, deservedly drew level with a towering header from Robert Lewandowski in the 54th.

Spain were given a penalty soon after but Gerard Moreno blasted his shot against the post and Morata scuffed the rebound wide, leaving Luis Enrique’s side cursing their profligacy just as in their goalless opening draw with Sweden.

Saturday’s draw left Spain third in Group E with two points and needing a win against Slovakia on Wednesday to guarantee their place in the next round. Poland are bottom with one point but still have a chance of going through to the last 16.

Germany bounce back with statement 4-2 win over Portugal

Three-times European champions Germany shrugged off their opening game loss and announced their arrival as serious contenders at Euro 2020 with an emphatic 4-2 win over highly-rated Portugal in their Group F match earlier on the same day.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - Group F - Portugal v Germany - Football Arena Munich, Munich, Germany - June 19, 2021 Germany's Kai Havertz in action with Portugal's Rui Patricio. (Photo: Reuters)

The Germans had been beaten by world champions France in their opener prompting serious questions over their ability to make a challenge in this tournament but Joachim Loew's side responded to the pressure with an outstanding performance.

Cristiano Ronaldo had given the defending champions a 15th minute lead with his 107th international strike but Germany went in at the break 2-1 up thanks to own goals from Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro.

The Germans turned on the style in the second half with efforts from Kai Havertz and the impressive Robin Gosens making it 4-1 before Diogo Jota pulled a goal back for Portugal.

The result throws the 'Group of Death' wide-open and gives Germany a strong chance of progressing to the last 16.

Germany, who face Hungary in their final game in Munich, move into second place in the group on three points, a point behind leaders France and level on points with the Portuguese. Hungary drew 1-1 with France earlier on Saturday.

Reuters