Cristiano Ronaldo returned from injury in a second half cameo for Portugal as his side came from behind to earn a draw in Spain in their Nations League opener.
The Manchester United superstar began the game on the bench as he continued his recovery from injury as Fernando Santos’s side fell behind to Alvaro Morata’s first half opener for Spain. The visitors were to earn a draw in Seville as Braga winger Ricardo Horta netted his second international goal to level the score and earn a share of the spoils.
The one true moment of class in the first half produced the goal that broke the deadlock for the hosts; a flowing counter-attacking move that caught Portugal cold from their own attack. The move was all about Gavi, the Barcelona midfielder who was back in his home city and showed why Spain boss Luis Enrique continues to select him.
Still aged just 17, Gavi was a standout player for the hosts and managed to wriggle away from the challenge of Bernardo Silva to kickstart Spain’s counter-attack, despite the Manchester City player’s desperate lunge to halt the move. Gavi stormed down the flank and cut infield before rolling a diagonal pass into the path of Morata.
The Juventus striker left the ball for Pablo Sarabia, who played last season in Portugal for Sporting Lisbon, who then rolled it back into Morata’s path and the striker produced the cool finish to open the scoring and cap a wonderful move.
That was Spain’s first shot on target and a minute later they should have had another and again, it was all about Gavi. The Barcelona midfielder set up Carlos Soler, but he was denied by Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa and Valencia star Soler could not direct the follow-up on target.
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The main threat for the visitors came through Milan striker Rafael Leao who missed a fantastic opening from ten yards out and almost scored a wonderful individual goal as he dribbled his way into the area but could only fire his effort straight at Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.
In a second half of many substitutes, including Portugal’s introduction of Ronaldo and Horta, who levelled the score to provide the finish for Joao Cancelo’s cross in the 82 nd minute. Spain then had a glorious opportunity to re-take the lead but Jordi Alba headed the ball wide from close range.
