SWEDES ALL SMILES BUT IT’S SOUR FOR SPAIN
Luis Enrique’s men are frustrated and have to settle for a point after wasting too many chances
SPAIN were left cursing a string of missed chances after giving Sweden a proper mauling in Seville.
In the home of bullfighting it was the home nation who had their opponents begging for mercy.
Yet Sweden so nearly turned the tables on the matadors by catching them napping twice. Alexander Isak and Marcus Berg both missed superb opportunities to suckerpunch the Spaniards.
It would have been the biggest miscarriage of justice for years yet Spain – without a Real Madrid player in the squad – were their own worst enemies.
They had so much possession but hardly created a clear-cut chance. Spain absolutely battered the Swedes for the entire first half and yet, remarkably, could have gone in a goal down at the break. Luis Enrique’s men actually totted up 419 passes before the break, setting a new 45-minute tournament record. But the Spaniards were so nearly stung by a young man who they can’t say they know nothing about. Isak is one of the hottest properties in Spain right now and no wonder, The 21-yearold has just been voted La Liga’s Young Player of the Year on back of 17 goals for Real Sociedad. And he really should have punished the Spaniards with his side’s one real break of the half. Isak pounced close in but, after
some neat footwork, his shot struck Marcos Llorente and flew onto the post before bouncing back straight into the arms of keeper Unai Simon.
Up to then it had been a tide of red sweeping in the direction of Sweden’s goal, starting with Dani Olmo putting in a great downward header which was superbly flicked away by Everton keeper Robin Olsen.
Then Koke screwed a good chance just wide of the post before ghosting in on the half-hour to shoot over. Enrique (left) shook his head in dismay on the sidelines.
Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata really should have scored in the 38th minute when Jordi Alba clipped a ball into him, but he swept his shot around the keeper and saw it bobble wide of the post.
It could have got even worse for Spain but Sweden squandered another golden opportunity after catching their opponents on the break for a second time.
This time Isak was the provider. He showed intricate skills in the box before curling a cross to the far post where Berg, ideally placed just three yards out, failed to make a proper connection.
It was as if Spain, frustrated at continually coming up against a roadblock, suddenly began to start doubting themselves and started to look hesitant at times.
The Swedes just soaked up whatever was thrown at them.
It was a first goalless draw for Spain in a group match at the European Championship since 1980.