Xtra Time Web Desk: Spain and Portugal played out an entertaining 0-0 draw in an International friendly at the Wando Metropolitano on Friday. It was the first international game with fans in attendance in Spain since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As many as 15000 spectators were in attendance to see the home team win ahead of the Euro 2020.
Spain was lucky not to have conceded a goal fall when Jose Fonte’s looping header beat Unai Simon after 23 minutes. However, his looping header was ruled out for a foul on Pau Torres. The Spanish goalkeeper saw a clearance charged down by Cristiano Ronaldo. But the ball ricocheted straight back to the Athletic Bilbao keeper. After struggling early on, the hosts were much better after the restart, with Alvaro Morata and Pablo Sarabia both missing chances. Morata almost scored the winner as his shot hit the bar in stoppage time.
In another friendly Italy thrashed Czech Republic 4-0, announcing they will be a force to reckon with in the upcoming Euro 2020 which kicks off next week.
The Azzurri’s took the lead in the 23rd minute through Ciro Immobile. The Lazio striker latched onto a weak clearance and swept the ball into the net after it took a slight deflection off a Czech defender.
Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella doubled the lead for his side just at the stroke of interval when he dribbled toward goal and fired a shot home from just outside the penalty area.
Napoli midfielder Lorenzo Insigne scored the third goal for Italy in the 66th minute when he took an Immobile pass and sent a sharp right-footed strike past the keeper. Insigne turned provider minutes later when he set up Domenico Beradi, who made it 4-0.