Spain have now won only one of their last six opening matches at a major tournamentSpain endured a frustrating opening game in Euro 2020 as they failed to make their near total dominance pay against a rigid and stubborn Sweden in Seville.
Luis Enrique's side had the vast majority of possession and territory in the match, which at times resembled a session of attack versus defence, but were unable to take advantage of the good opportunities their build-up play yielded.
The best fell to Alvaro Morata, who was allowed in on goal by a fluffed attempted clearance from Marcus Danielson but side-footed his shot wide.
Dani Olmo also saw a close-range header tipped round the post by Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen, and Koke sliced an effort off target from inside the box.
Sweden's best chance fell to La Liga's young player of the year Alexander Isak, who muscled his way in for a shot that deflected off a Spanish defender, hit the post and looped straight to grateful keeper Unai Simon.
Isak also fashioned a great opportunity for partner Marcus Berg, who somehow managed to steer a shot from near point-blank range wide at the back post.
The result will do little to lift the downbeat mood of some of the Spanish public, who have seen the preparations of their national side overshadowed by the fallout of positive Covid-19 tests for two players and squad selection controversy.
The draw in Seville means Slovakia have the early advantage in Group E courtesy of their surprise 2-1 win over Poland earlier on Monday.
No nation has had the perfect preparation for this tournament as a result of the global pandemic, but few sides' build-up has been quite as problematic and picked apart as that of Spain.
The positive Covid-19 tests for Sergio Busquets and Diego Llorente and resulting fallout, along with the omission of any Real Madrid players from the squad, the most notable being Sergio Ramos, left many Spaniards hoping for rather than expecting success.
While not a patch on any of the squads that won three successive major tournaments between 2008 and 2012, this is still a talented group packed full of pace and vision.
This was born out throughout the game, as the side in red and blue shifted their opponent around the pitch, moved intelligently into space and forged openings, with Barcelona teenager Pedri prominent.
In the first-half alone they completed 419 passes - the highest figure in the opening 45 minutes of a European Championship game since data specialists Opta began collecting such information in 1980.
What Luis Enrique's starting XI really lacked was a finisher.
Morata has 19 international goals to his name and a lot of big clubs on his CV but he floated through the contest and spurned his moment when it came.
Gerard Moreno - scorer of 30 goals for Villarreal last season - sat on the bench until the 75th minute and missed his own big chance in injury time with a header saved by Olsen. It was one of only two attempts on target in the second half.
Sweden will be delighted to have frustrated a big side in their own back yard. It wasn't pretty but it was extremely effective and testament to a side with a work ethic and discipline in spades.
Manchester United's Victor Lindelof is an occasionally maligned defender by fans in England, but here he was superb.
On the evidence of the two games we have witnessed so far in Group E, it is going to be fascinating watching it to a conclusion.
What's next?
Sweden are in Saint Petersburg in Russia to face Slovakia, who beat Poland in their first match, at 14:00 BST on Friday 18 June. Spain play the day after, facing the Poles in Seville at 20:00.
Player of the match
OlsenRobin Olsen
Line-ups
Spain
Formation 4-3-3
23Simón
6Llorente24Laporte4Torres18Alba
8Koke16Rodri26González
11Torres7Morata19Olmo
23Simón6Llorente24Laporte4Torres18Alba8KokeSubstituted forRuizat 87'minutes16RodriSubstituted forThiago Alcántaraat 66'minutes26González11TorresSubstituted forOyarzabalat 74'minutes7MorataSubstituted forSarabiaat 66'minutes19OlmoSubstituted forMorenoat 74'minutesSubstitutes
1de Gea2Azpilicueta3Llorente9Moreno10Thiago Alcántara12García13Sánchez14Gayà17Ruiz20Traoré21Oyarzabal22SarabiaSweden
Formation 4-4-2
1Olsen
2Lustig3Lindelöf24Danielson6Augustinsson
7Larsson20Olsson8Ekdal10Forsberg
9Berg11Isak
1Olsen2LustigBooked at 55minsSubstituted forKrafthat 75'minutes3Lindelöf24Danielson6Augustinsson7Larsson20OlssonSubstituted forCajusteat 84'minutes8Ekdal10ForsbergSubstituted forBengtssonat 84'minutes9BergSubstituted forQuaisonat 69'minutes11IsakSubstituted forClaessonat 69'minutesSubstitutes
5Bengtsson12Johnsson13Svensson14Helander15Sema16Krafth17Claesson18Jansson22Quaison23Nordfeldt25Larsson26CajusteReferee:Slavko VincicAttendance:10,559Live Text
Match ends, Spain 0, Sweden 0.
Second Half ends, Spain 0, Sweden 0.
Attempt missed. Gerard Moreno (Spain) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Thiago with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Spain. Conceded by Emil Krafth.
Attempt saved. Pablo Sarabia (Spain) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jordi Alba.
Attempt missed. Gerard Moreno (Spain) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Pablo Sarabia.
Attempt saved. Gerard Moreno (Spain) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Pablo Sarabia with a cross.
Offside, Spain. Pedri tries a through ball, but Jordi Alba is caught offside.
Substitution, Spain. Fabián Ruiz replaces Koke.
Foul by Pablo Sarabia (Spain).
Sebastian Larsson (Sweden) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Sweden. Pierre Bengtsson replaces Emil Forsberg.
Substitution, Sweden. Jens Cajuste replaces Kristoffer Olsson because of an injury.
Substitution, Sweden. Emil Krafth replaces Carl Mikael Lustig because of an injury.
Substitution, Spain. Mikel Oyarzabal replaces Ferran Torres.
Substitution, Spain. Gerard Moreno replaces Dani Olmo.
Attempt blocked. Dani Olmo (Spain) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Marcos Llorente.
Foul by Dani Olmo (Spain).
Albin Ekdal (Sweden) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Ferran Torres (Spain) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
