Wasteful Spain held by Sweden in Euro 2020 opener

Spain failed to make their dominance pay as they were held to a goalless draw by Sweden in their Euro 2020 group stage opener in Seville.

The 2008 and 2012 champions were comfortably the better side, particularly during an impressive first-half showing, but struggled for a breakthrough, with Sweden ultimately also guilty wasting two good chances to steal all three points, despite their lack of intent.

The Spaniards outclassed Sweden in possession and Alvaro Morata fired a great chance just wide, but it was the Swedes that came closest to scoring as Alexander Isak’s shot was deflected onto a post by Marcos Llorente just before halftime.

The second half had even less in the way of creative attacking football as the Swedes did their best to run the clock down while making the occasional break, and Spain could not find a way through the massed yellow ranks of defenders.

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Marcus Berg somehow failed to convert at the back post for Sweden after excellent work from Isak, while Gerard Moreno missed Spain’s best chance late on when heading straight at Robin Olsen from six yards.

Sweden take on Group E leaders Slovakia, who beat Poland 2-1 earlier on Monday, in St. Petersburg on June 18, while the Poles travel to Seville to meet Spain the following day.