28.2 C
Accra
Friday, February 7, 2025
SportsSpain and Portugal draw for fifth time in a row

Date:

Spain and Portugal draw for fifth time in a row

Ricardo Horta struck on his first Portugal appearance in almost eight years as they drew with Spain in their Nations League opener in Seville.

Spain’s Alvaro Morata scored the opening goal, finishing off a slick move involving Gavi and Pablo Sarabia.

Braga’s Horta, who won a first cap as a teenager in 2014, came off the bench and tucked home Joao Cancelo’s cross.

It is almost 10 years since this fixture was won by either side, with the last five meetings all draws.

Jordi Alba should have won the game for Spain when he headed wide from eight yards out.

Spain’s Carlos Soler and Portugal forward Rafael Leao squandered two good opportunities each with the hosts ahead 1-0 through Morata’s 25th-minute effort.

The visitors, who won the 2019 tournament, brought on Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half but he was not involved in the 82nd-minute equaliser, which was Horta’s first international goal.

This is only the second time in nine games in all competitions that Spain have not won. The other was last year’s Nations League final defeat by France.

In the other game in Group A2, the Czech Republic beat Switzerland 2-1.

On Sunday, the Czechs host Spain and Portugal are at home to Switzerland.

Source: BBC

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

Brigadier General Tanye-Kulono appointed as Acting GHPA boss

President John Dramani Mahama has named Brigadier General Paul...

42 ministers sworn-in by Mahama so far

President John Dramani Mahama has officially sworn in a...

Ghana’s Hajj quota increased by 1,000 pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has increased Ghana's Hajj pilgrimage quota from...

Miss Côte d’Ivoire 2025 ditches artificial hair enhancements

An African beauty pageant is breaking tradition to make...

Mahama swears in Ablakwa, Sam George, 15 others

President John Dramani is swearing in another set of...

I’m fair and neutral – Vetting Chaos Committee Chair to critics

Emmanuel Bedzrah, the head of the committee probing the...

Related stories

Arne Slot wish Virgil van Dijk would stay at Liverpool ‘for a long time’

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has expressed his desire...

‘From what I hear, nobody is happy with referees’ – Ancelotti to LaLiga prez

Carlo Ancelotti has responded to LaLiga president Javier Tebas'...

Man City lists ‘injured’ Rodri in Champions League squad

Manchester City have updated their Champions League squad for...

Man City tops chart as club that spent the most in January transfer window – FIFA data

Global transfers during the January window exceeded $2 billion...