Poor finishing haunts Spain at home
SEVILLE, Spain -Spain were again haunted by their inability to finish off chances as they drew 1-1 with Poland on Saturday after missing a second-half penalty to leave their hopes of making the Euro 2020 knockout stage hanging in the balance.
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 head into their final game against Sweden with a chance of reaching the last 16.
“We are raging,” said Spain captain Jordi Alba.
“We kept on trying until the end but were against a really tough opponent and we lacked a bit of luck.”
Morata added: “It’s another game that has escaped from our grasp and our next game will be like a final to get through.”
Poland felt a huge sense of redemption after losing their opener 2-1 to Slovakia.
“Before this game, hardly anyone believed in us. But sometimes you have to take two steps back to take another one forward,” said defender Kamil Glik.
“I’m glad that we will play the real final against Sweden and I hope that -- even if it’s a bit late, the tournament started for us today.”