Both Spain and Portugal must be congratulated on providing the most wonderful advert for football.
So often with a big build up, the main event falls flat, but this one didn’t disappoint from the first whistle.
Unfortunately for La Roja, things didn’t really go as planned and that was nothing to do with what had happened during the week.
At the elite level, you cannot legislate for basic, schoolboy errors.
The first came after only three minutes when Nacho was fooled by his Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
As soon as the Portuguese captain bore down on the substitute right-back, there was only one thought in his mind and that would’ve been to draw the foul.
Nacho fell for it hook, line and sinker but, perhaps, the blame shouldn’t be levelled in his direction.
Whilst he’s played as a right-back before now, and done well in the position, he is most comfortable in the centre. Given that Dani Carvajal wasn’t available for selection, a question must be asked of stand-in coach, Fernando Hierro.
Why were neither Alvaro Oriozola or Cesar Azpilicueta – both natural right-backs – not considered from the start? Nacho did redeem himself later of course, but the point remains.
Had Spain not drawn the match, then this particular detail would probably have been glossed over, and it’s unlikely, with respect, that Iran or Morocco would cause Nacho the same level of problems.
Luckily for him, David De Gea has almost certainly grabbed the headlines along with Ronaldo, after his second bad mistake in a fortnight.
The Manchester United stopper didn’t have an awful lot to do between Ronaldo’s first and second goals and that will have contributed to why he spilled a shot which is bread and butter for him.
De Gea has earned the respect of his colleagues and coaching team for an insanely high and consistent standard of work, so it’s unlikely they’ll be too hard on him in the dressing room, but they won’t want it becoming a habit.
With four minutes left, Gerard Pique got in on the act to give Ronaldo a gilt-edged chance just outside the area. Portugal’s talisman was never going to miss that, notwithstanding that De Gea made no attempt to get to the ball. That shouldn’t take away the quality of the strike mind.
Mistakes aside, Spain were arguably the better team for long periods of the match and their intricate passing, particularly in midfield, was a joy to watch.
Andres Iniesta was imperious in possession and on this form it’s hard to understand why he’s swapped Barcelona for Vissel Kobe.
Diego Costa’s first goal showed exactly what he’s capable of when given the correct service, and in Isco, Spain possess an early candidate for player of the tournament.
Fortunately, despite the draw, Spain can put this one down to experience and set about Iran and Morocco with renewed vigour.
They’ll still qualify from the group stages, but Hierro will want perfection from here on in.
