SPAIN are no strangers to lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy after going all the way in the European Championships as recently as 2008 and 2012.
But tonight they failed to get off to a winning start as they shared the points with Sweden in their opening match of Group E.
The draw meant La Roja have won just one of their last six opening matches at a major tournament and they will be frustrated to not take all three points after dominating proceedings at the Estadio La Cartuja.
In the evening heat of Sevilla, the hosts controlled the opening 45 minutes and really should have found the back of net with a host of chances falling their way.
Dani Olmo had the first of those when he was picked out by Koke with a curling cross on 15 minutes. The Leipzig forward nodded towards goal, but Swedish keeper Robin Olsen produced a tidy save.
Koke then had an opportunity of his own when he latched on to a loose ball inside the penalty area. His first-time effort with the outside of his foot went agonisingly wide of the target, however.
An error at the back by Swedish defender Marcus Danielson then allowed the usually prolific Alvaro Morata with a free effort on goal.
The onetime Chelsea man could only find the advertising boards behind the goal though as he opened his body and curled towards the far corner.
The pressure was mounting on Sweden and without the key figure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic they were struggling to find a route out of their own half.
The towering goal machine is missing from this year’s Championships due to a knee injury and as a result the hopes of his nation have moved on to striker Alexander Isak.
Isak bagged 17 league goals for Real Sociedad in La Liga last term and now several of Europe’s heavyweights are chasing his signature.
Roma and Arsenal have been linked with moves for the youngster this week and he was out to impress as he lined up in the lone striker role for his country.
Despite seeing little of the ball, when Isak did have a sniff of possession he looked a real talent and he almost found the back of the net with Sweden’s only chance of the first half.
The 21-year-old left the Spanish defence for dead as he latched on to a ball over the top and after taking a cheeky dummy, he saw his shot cleared off the line and onto the post.
It was a huge let off for Spain who would have rued their missed opportunities had they gone a goal down just before the interval.
Much like the opening 45 minutes Spain started off the second period with plenty of possession. Their new look side still shares the traits of old with pass and move a key factor of their game.
No Real Madrid players made the cut for Spain’s Euro 2020 squad and Barcelona’s Jordi Alba was the only survivor of the team that lifted the trophy back in 2012, with Sergio Busquets absent due to a positive Covid-19 test in the build-up to last night’s fixture.
The Spanish were roared on by 18,000 supporters, but there was little for them to cheer about early in the second period.
Frustration began to creep in, and Sweden took advantage as they almost took a shock lead on 62 minutes. Isak was again the creator and his quick feet allowed him space to pick out strike partner Marcus Berg at the back post.
The big number nine failed to guide his shot into the top corner though as he hit the turf with his head in his hands.
A defensive shift was to follow for Janne Andersson’s heroic Swedes, and they battled to earn a well-deserved point.
Spain forward Gerard Moreno had the final chance of the game when he got on the end of a cross, but Olsen was once again up to the mark in the Sweden goal.
The Group E opener was far from a classic and with 84 per cent possession, Spain will have to convert their control into goals to have any chance of going deep into the latter stages of the tournament.
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