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After their defeat against Slovakia, many people had Spain down to thrash Poland in Seville. The White and Reds, however, held their own against the three-time European champions.
On a sunny Sunday evening in Seville, Luis Enrique’s men looked to show why they were labelled as the favourites to qualify out of Group E.
They were unable to show that killer instinct against Sweden and many were thinking that the Spaniard’s were finally going to be able to bring out their shooting boots and fulfil their potential.
It was evident that the hosts would play their usual possession-based football meaning that Paulo Sousa’s men had to either pressure the Spaniard’s into a mistake or sit back and defend effectively.
Poland kicked the game off and were out of the blocks straight away knowing their task ahead was a tough one, but they did not back down from it holding Spain back in their own half for the first five minutes.
Both sides had shots in the opening 20 minutes with the Poles going closest after Mateusz Klich’s dipping effort went over and Dani Olmo’s shot on target was saved well by Wojciech Szczesny.
Spain were finally able to break the Poland backline in the 25th minute. Gerard Moreno found Alvaro Morata inside the box with the Spaniard tapping the ball into the back of the net.
Initially, the decision was offside but after a VAR intervention, the goal was given after the goalscorer was found to be narrowly onside.
With 10 minutes to go in the match, Sousa’s side had a fantastic chance to level things up. Robert Lewandowski delivered a fantastic ball into the box which only needed a header from Karol Swiderski, but the forward stuck his leg at it instead and was put off by the on-rushing Unai Simon as he put his effort over.
Swiderski had one final chance before the end of the half as he released a thunderous effort at Simon’s goal. His shot cannoned off the post as Lewandowski failed to fire in the rebound with the Spanish goalkeeper making a vital save.
The second-half saw Poland really fight for the equaliser which they got in the 54th minute. Kamil Jozwiak’s wonderful ball found Lewandowski as the forward outjumped Aymeric Laporte as he levelled the score at 1-1.
Moments later, Moreno was caught by Jakub Moder in the box as Spain’s number nine complained to the referee. Daniele Orsato went to the pitchside monitor and after only a couple of seconds pointed to the spot.
The Spanish forward took the ball as he was the one to take the penalty. He steadied his run and fired the ball against the post leaving him and his teammates with their hands on their heads.
In the dying embers of the game, Spain had a few chances through Rodri and Morata. The midfielder’s effort was well held by Szczesny and the forward’s shot was heroically saved by Poland’s number one.
The key in this match was the willingness to fight for each other and work as a team, and the White and Reds did exactly that.
No-one stopped running and they continued to do so until the last minute of stoppage time. When the referee blew his whistle, Poland looked so relieved and exploding with happiness as they celebrated in a huddle.
Next up for the White and Reds is an encounter against group leaders Sweden in Saint Petersburg as a win would virtually book their place in the Round of 16.
All of that though rides on Spain’s game with Slovakia and the outcome of that match could through Group E in so many different direction.
Poland will be hoping to turn their poor showing against Slovakia and their great showing against Spain into a victory and progression into the knockout stages.
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