September 20, 2024

Spain set stunning European Championship completed passes record but are let off by Alexander Isak and Marcus Berg misses during draw to Sweden

Isak #Isak

There were two contrasting footballing philosophies on show during Spain’s clash against Sweden but both sides ended the Euro 2020 contest on level terms as they played out a goalless draw.

Spain’s more attractive style, which reached very high standards during the first half in Seville, was very pleasant on the eye as Dani Olmo and Koke both had two good chances.

Olmo had two decent chances, including this header early on

AFP

Olmo had two decent chances, including this header early on

While former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata fluffed his lines

AFP

While former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata fluffed his lines

Meanwhile, Alvaro Morata put the ball wide when through on goal as he failed to capitalise on Marcus Danielson’s error.

But it could be argued that the Swede’s more direct approach heeded better results as Spanish hearts were in mouths with both Alexander Isak and Marcus Berg going exceptionally close either side of half time.

Isak was the first to get a big chance for the Swedes as he latched onto a flick on, turned La Roja debutant Aymeric Laporte inside out but his shot hit Diego Llorente, struck the post and rebounded into the grateful arms or Unai Simon.

But Berg really should have given Sweden the lead early in the second half as some excellent hold up play by Isak saw him dig out a cross to an unmarked Berg but the striker skewed his shot wide with a near enough open goal gaping.

Isak caused the Spain defence lots of problems and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet just before half time

AFP

Isak caused the Spain defence lots of problems and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet just before half time

But Berg somehow missed from here

Getty

But Berg somehow missed from here

It was Luis Enrique’s men, who completed the most passes in a single half in a European Championship match since records began (419 in the first half), who could have won it at the end but substitute Gerard Moreno’s header was kept out by Robin Olsen.

Olsen was on form from the very start as he made a smart save to deny Olmo’s header, while Koke fired wide and blazed over in the space of eight first-half minutes, while Olmo was denied from distance by the Swedish stopper.

Morata really should have given the three-time European champions the lead on 38 minutes but the Juventus star put the ball just wide.

This became an all-too familiar sight when Morata was at Stamford Bridge

Getty

This became an all-too familiar sight when Morata was at Stamford Bridge

Moments later there was nearly a goal against the run of play but Isak’s shot hit the woodwork and rebounded to the wrong place from a Swedish perspective.

Spain continued to dominate possession but struggled to create chances after the break, other than Moreno’s header being saved from point-blank range.

The best chance of the second period definitely fell to Berg but the veteran forward couldn’t complete the simple task of scoring from less than six yards out.

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