Portugal’s Ricardo Horta struck a late goal to help his side level scores with Spain as they played a 1-1 draw in his first Portugal appearance in almost eight years for his country. It was their first Nations League game and it was played in Seville. Juventus and Spain forward Alvaro Morata scored the opening goal, finishing off a slick move involving Gavi and Pablo Sarabia in the first 25th-minute of the game.
Ricardo Horta Scores to Help Portugal Force Spain to Share Points with them
Ricardo Horta of Braga who won a first cap as a teenager in 2014, came off the bench and tucked home Joao Cancelo’s cross. It is almost 10 years since this fixture was won by either side, with the last five meetings all ending in a draw. Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba should have won the game for Spain but he headed wide from eight yards out.
Spain’s Carlos Soler and Portugal forward Rafael Leao squandered two good chances. The visitors, who won the 2019 tournament, brought on Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half but he was not involved in the 82nd-minute equaliser, which was Horta’s first international goal. This is only the second time in nine games in all competitions that Spain has not won. The other was last year’s Nations League final defeat by France.
In the other game in Group A2, the Czech Republic beat Switzerland 2-1. The league continues on Sunday, with the Czechs hosting Spain while Portugal will host Switzerland.
