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Spain goalscorer Alvaro Morata
Photo:
Jose Manuel Vidal / EPO
Last year's finalist Spain missed a prestigious victory at the start of the third edition of the Nations League.
The 2010 World Cup champions only drew 1-1 (1-0) against their neighbors Portugal in Group A2 despite being in the lead.
Alvaro Morata (25') scored first for the Spaniards, who lost the final 2-1 to France in October.
Substitute Ricardo Horta (82nd) equalized.
Like the Sporting Braga striker, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench, but was no longer able to exert much influence after being substituted on (62nd).
After a strong first half, the intense game flattened out a bit.
Morata initially made it 1-0 after a fine midfield combination by the Spaniards: young star Gavi initiated a perfect counterattack by winning the ball in his own half.
After a sprint of more than 40 meters, the 17-year-old served Pablo Sarabia, who passed the ball directly to Morata.
Haaland scores for Norway, Forsberg for Sweden
Andre Silva from Leipzig had the best chance to equalize before the break, and his shot just missed the far post (35').
After the break, the guests increased their attacking efforts: Rafael Leao had the 1-1 on his feet when he was released by Silva, but failed at goalkeeper Unai Simon (59th).
The equalizer came when Horta converted a low cross from João Cancelo.
Norway, on the other hand, got off to an optimal start in the new season of the Uefa competition thanks to Erling Haaland.
The Noch-Dortmunder (26th) ensured the 1-0 (1-0) victory in Serbia.
After a nice cross, the 21-year-old only had to push the ball over the line.
Sweden also started successfully because RB Leipzig's Emil Forsberg initially converted a penalty kick (39th) to make it 2-0 (1-0).
Dejan Kulusevski (88th) then ensured the final score.
One of the most entertaining games of the evening took place in Prague, where the Czech Republic beat Switzerland 2-1 (1-1).
Jan Kuchta (11th) and an own goal by Frankfurt's Djibril Sow (58th) ensured the success of the Czechs.
Noah Okafor's goal (44th) was not enough for Switzerland.
Even after the break there were numerous chances – and referee Daniel Siebert was substituted.
The German was replaced by fourth official Harm Osmers due to injury.
Bayer Leverkusen's Adam Hlozek, who was announced in the afternoon, was in the Czech starting XI, his new teammate Patrik Schick, the second-best goalscorer of the Bundesliga season, was missing after groin surgery.
ara/sid/dpa
