Spain played out a second consecutive draw in the UEFA Nations League, managing a 2-2 stalemate against the Czech Republic.
Spain had to come from behind twice in their second 2022/23 UEFA Nations League group stage encounter against the Czech Republic to earn a 2-2 draw. Inigo Martinez scored in the dying embers of the game to rescue a point for La Roja, who dominated the proceedings.
Winger Jakub Pesek opened the scoring for the home side in Prague in the fourth minute. The goal was an early wake-up call for Spain, who came into action immediately but could not get an equaliser until the third minute of the first-half injury time when Gavi brought things on level terms.
The second half was no different as Luis Enrique’s side saw most of the ball and threatened to take the lead on multiple occasions. But it was Czech Republic who got the next breakthrough with Jan Kuchta striking in the 66th minute.
Spain were left chasing the game again with Martinez scoring their second goal in the 90th minute. La Roja enjoyed 80% possession and took a total of 13 shots, five of which were on target. But it was not their night and they were left to make do with just a point. They are now third in their group behind Portugal and the Czech Republic, respectively.
? CLASIFICACIÓN | El grupo A2 se aprieta en su cabeza.
➡️ La @SeFutbol se sitúa a dos puntos de Portugal y República Checa tras las primeras jornadas.
➡️ Suiza, nuestro próximo rival, aún no ha puntuado.
ℹ️ https://t.co/Ry2HRrMbeb #VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/OkQ2IeGUkl
— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) June 5, 2022
The 2010 World Cup winners will now face Switzerland on June 9 before facing the Czech Republic in the reverse fixture three days later. Meanwhile, Czech Republic will face Portugal in their next Nations League encounter. Here’s how each Spain player fared in the 2-2 draw at the Sinobo Stadium in Prague.
Unai Simon: 5/10
Unai Simon could not do much as the hosts scored with both their shots on target. He was often the victim of some poor defending from his defence.
Dani Carvajal: 6/10
The right-back was probably the best of the four defenders who started for Spain. He offered something going forward, sending in five crosses and completing five of six attempted long balls. Defensively, he made two tackles and an interception.
Eric Garcia: 5/10
Eric Garcia was at fault for the second Czech Republic goal. Otherwise, he was good on the ball, completing 96 per cent of his passes as Spain enjoyed a majority of the possession. He won all of his duels, aerial and ground.
Inigo Martinez: 5/10
⚽️ GOAL!
Inigo Martinez scores the equalizer for Spain in the #NationsLeague ??
Follow @ronard_addo to never miss any goal highlights#CZEESP | #LaFuriaRoja pic.twitter.com/5XwCFjVygD
— Football Goals (@fast_goals1) June 5, 2022
Martinez scored the all-important equaliser in the 90th minute but did not offer much defensively. He completed 95 per cent of his passes, however, and won four of his five aerial duels.
Marcos Alonso: 5/10
Alonso was not too good defensively and mostly found himself further up the field. He played in three crosses and completed two long balls, including two key passes.
Gavi: 7/10
The Barcelona midfielder scored the first of the two equalisers for Spain. He was often the one driving forward and thus attracting fouls. Gavi also made a clearance and completed two tackles.
Wonderkid ?
?? Gavi becomes Spain's youngest ever goalscorer (17 years, 304 days), surpassing Ansu Fati (17 years, 311 days) ?#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/nUZcm4dkyL
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 5, 2022
Rodri: 6/10
Rodri assisted Gavi’s goal and was a strong presence in the centre of the midfield. He played two key passes and completed three long balls. But all the dominance and possession did not provide any output.
Koke: 5/10
Again, like Rodri, Koke was strong in possession, completing 93 per cent of his passes while creating a big chance. He also completed all three of his long balls, won five ground duels, and made a clearance and an interception.
Pablo Sarabia: 5/10
Sarabia was taken off at half-time for a largely ineffective first half where he just took one shot. Both of his dribble attempts were unsuccessful. He played in four crosses to try and create something for his side before being hauled off.
Raul de Tomas: 4/10
The striker was anonymous for most parts of the game, making just 30 touches of the ball in a game where his side had 80 per cent of the ball possession. He took just one shot on target and lost possession a few times too.
Dani Olmo: 4/10
Olmo capped off a pretty sub-par night from Spain’s attacking line. He took just one shot, which was off target and failed his only dribble attempt. He played two key passes, and his set-piece delivery was good.
Substitutes
Ferran Torres: 6/10
Torres came on at half-time for Sarabia and looked quite busy. He hit the woodwork once, played a key pass and completed both of his long balls.
Sergio Busquets: 5/10
Busquets came on in the 61st minute for Rodri but did not change much. He was sound on the ball, completing 23 of 27 passes attempted.
Alvaro Morata: 5/10
Morata came on for De Tomas and took two shots, both of which were off target. He played a key pass as well and completed both of his long balls.
Marco Asensio: 7/10
Asensio hit the woodwork immediately after coming on and played two key passes. Both of his crosses found a teammate. He assisted Martinez’s late equaliser.
Marcos Llorente: 6/0
Llorente came on for Koke in the 72nd minute. He completed all nine of his passes and won three ground duels.
