Spain 1-1 Poland: Robert Lewandowski scores as Spain draw again

Robert Lewandowski scored his first goal of Euro 2020 as Poland held Spain to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockouts.

Poland knew that a defeat would mean they could not progress from Group E and they fell behind towards the end of the first half when Alvaro Morata's close-range finish was given by VAR after initially being ruled out for offside.

But Lewandowski, who had struggled to make an impact in Poland's opening-game defeat to Slovakia, equalised early in the second half when he thumped home a header.

Spain had the chance to retake the lead soon after with a penalty, awarded by referee Daniele Orsato after he had checked a challenge on Gerard Moreno on the pitchside monitor, but Moreno compounded to slam his effort against the post before Morata sent the follow-up wide.

Manchester City forward Ferran Torres headed wide as Spain pushed in the closing stages, while Morata was denied from point-blank range by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny late on.

But too often their play was predictable and lacking in urgency and the draw means the three-time European champions are still without a win at Euro 2020 after they were held to a goalless draw by Sweden in their opener.

Spain are third in Group E with two points, with Slovakia second on three and Sweden top with four. Luis Enrique's side play Slovakia in their final group game on Wednesday (17:00 BST) while Poland take on Sweden at the same time.

Nothing has been decided in Group E yet - but Sweden are likely to make it through to the last 16 as, at worst, one of the best third-placed teams

Slow and predictable Spain need to find bite

This was another disappointing display at Euro 2020 by Spain, who have failed to win either of their first games of a European Championship since 1996.

From 2008 until 2012, they were the dominant force in world football, winning a World Cup and two Euros in that time.

They were renowned for their short passing and quick movement 'Tiki-taka' style of football but while the long passages of passing remain - they completed 954 passes against Sweden - they fall short as an attacking threat in the final third.

Against Poland they once again dominated possession but clear-cut chances were rare as too often they played safe, square passes rather than trying to produce the creativity needed to unlock a well-organised Poland defence.

While Morata was denied by a great save late on, that chance came in a rare spell of urgency from the Spanish, who were too sluggish for long periods and the pressure is now on them heading into their final group game against Slovakia.

Player of the match

KlichMateusz Klich

Line-ups

Spain

Formation 4-3-3

23Simón

6Llorente24Laporte4Torres18Alba

8Koke16Rodri26González

9Moreno7Morata19Olmo

23Simón6Llorente24Laporte4TorresBooked at 81mins18Alba8KokeSubstituted forSarabiaat 68'minutes16RodriBooked at 90mins26González9MorenoSubstituted forRuizat 68'minutes7MorataSubstituted forOyarzabalat 87'minutes19OlmoSubstituted forTorresat 61'minutes

Substitutes

1de Gea2Azpilicueta3Llorente10Thiago Alcántara11Torres12García13Sánchez14Gayà17Ruiz20Traoré21Oyarzabal22Sarabia

Poland

Formation 3-4-2-1

1Szczesny

18Bereszynski15Glik5Bednarek

21Jozwiak14Klich16Moder26Puchacz

11Swiderski20Zielinski

9Lewandowski

1Szczesny18Bereszynski15Glik5BednarekSubstituted forDawidowiczat 85'minutes21JozwiakBooked at 59mins14KlichBooked at 36minsSubstituted forKozlowskiat 55'minutes16ModerBooked at 57minsSubstituted forLinettyat 85'minutes26Puchacz11SwiderskiSubstituted forFrankowskiat 68'minutes20Zielinski9LewandowskiBooked at 90mins

Substitutes

3Dawidowicz4Kedziora6Kozlowski8Linetty12Skorupski13Rybus17Placheta19Frankowski22Fabianski23Kownacki24Swierczok25HelikReferee:Daniele OrsatoAttendance:11,742