ONE EL OF A PROBLEM
Win or bust for Spain:
spain face an embarrassing exit from the Euros after goalscoring legend Robert Lewandowski blew a massive hole in their qualification hopes. They have to win their game against Slovakia on Wednesday to ensure they progress.
It seems unthinkable the threetime winners could be sent ‘home’ without having left their homeland in the first place.
Despite the advantage of playing group games in Seville, they are still looking for their first win, with one shot left against a side who beat the Poles.
Spain defender Pau Torres admitted: “This was painful, but the message to everyone is just keep believing.”
Under-pressure boss Luis Enrique, who could be 90 minutes from the bullet, said: “No one said it would be easy.We have to win our last game.”
Poland went into it knowing defeat would put them out, but when goal machine Lewandowski equalised shortly after half-time it was game on for them.
Never mind flying home, the 32-year-old goal hero said: “We won’t be favourites against Sweden in our deciding game but we are ready to fight and we will believe right to the end that we can be in the next round.” It all looked to be going to plan for Spain when Alvaro Morata shut up his critics with a 25th-minute goal. He raced to the sidelines to embrace boss Enrique, right, and stick two fingers up to the Spanish fans calling for him to be dropped for missed chances against Sweden in their goalless opener. His redemption did not last long.
Lewandowski equalised with a superb towering header, showing why he is a legend back home with his 67th international goal. He simply brushed Aymeric Laporte to one side before powering the ball into the far corner of the net.
Spain were stunned but were quickly handed the chance to restore their lead.
Jakub Moder trod on Gerard Moreno’s ankle after he had released the ball but the referee was advised to look at the monitor and came back pointing to the spot. It was gift-wrapped for Spain to win it but Moreno crashed his kick against a post and, when it came back to Morata, he plonked himself straight back on the naughty step with a dreadful miss with the goal gaping.
Simon 7; M Llorente 6, Laporte 5, P Torres 6, Alba 7; Koke 6 (Sarabia 68, 5), Rodri 7, Pedri 7; Moreno 7 (Ruiz 68, 5), Morata 7 (Oyarzabal 87), Olmo 5 (F Torres 61, 6). Goal: Morata 25.
POLAND (3-4-2-1): Szczesny 7; Bereszynski 6, Glik 6, Bednarek 6 (Dawidowicz 85); Jozwiak 6, Moder 6 (Linetty 85), Klich 7 (Kozlowski 55, 6), Puchacz 6; Swiderski 7 (Frankowski 68, 5), Zielinski 6; Lewandowski 8. Goal: Lewandowski 54.