Staff Reporter.
Aymeric Laporte made his Spain debut as they drew with Portugal in a Euro 2020 warm-up in front of 14,743 fans at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
Manchester City defender Laporte, 27, was granted Spanish citizenship recently, having never played a senior game for France.
Alvaro Morata missed the best chance of the game late on when he hit the bar.
Portugal’s only shot on target was the last touch but Danilo Pereira’s header was straight at Unai Simon.
Spain had the better chances but Morata and Ferran Torres in particular were wasteful.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet game for Portugal, glancing a header wide and failing to take a one-on-one opportunity.
Before kick-off, there was an announcement that the neighbours will make a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
Spain and Portugal will make a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
Spain’s King Felipe VI and Portugal president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa were present as each nation’s prime minister signed an agreement to support the bid.
Both teams wore T-shirts bearing ‘Vamos 2030’ before the friendly, which marked the centenary of Portugal’s first international – also against Spain.
“The governments of Spain and Portugal wish to express their desire and commitment to host the 2030 World Cup,” the agreement said.
Fernando Gomes, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, and his Spanish counterpart Luis Rubiales, ratified an agreement signed last October to promote a joint bid.
“A message to the [other] national federations: if you give us your trust, when you come to our countries you are going to find an unforgettable experience,” Rubiales said on Friday.
The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar while Canada, Mexico and the USA will be joint hosts in 2026.
Fifa plans to select the 2030 host in 2024.
Spain face Lithuania in their final warm-up fixture on Tuesday before the Euros kick off next Friday.
Portugal host Israel on Wednesday before they start the defence of their Euro title.
Other Results:
Finland 0 -1 Estonia.
Latvia 3 -1 Luthuania.
Malta 1 -2 Kosovo.
Nigeria 0 – 1 Cameroon.