Spain’s captain, Álvaro Morata, faced the pressure head-on but was the only player to miss in Sunday’s penalty shootout. His miss stood out among nine penalty takers, marking him as the sole player unable to convert his spotick. However, this miss was less about failure and more about the brilliance of Portugal’s goalkeeperogo Costa, who guessed Morata’s intent and made a crucial save.
Morata’s penalty was not poorly executed — it was powerful, well-aimed, and low enough to challenge the keeper. Unlike comfortable penalties that goalkeepers barely move to save, this one carried risk. Unfortunately for Morata, Costa anticipated the shot perfectly, denying Spain a vital goal.
This season, Morata, who has scored 13 goals across 41 appearances for Milan and Galatasaray combined, might not have seemed an obvious choice for Luis de la Fuente’s Nations League squad based purely on numbers. However, football is about more than stats. Morata’s presence in the team has been invaluable for leadership and experience, especially for the younger players. He fits the playing style well, representing Spain as more than just a collection of individual talents but as a cohesive team.
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Penalty shootouts are often called a ‘lottery,’ but they are far from a game of chance. Victory hinges on the combined skill of the penalty takers and the goalkeeper’s performance. Morata deserved a bit of fortune to outwit Diogo Costa, yet the reality remains that only those who step up to take penalties can miss. Morata’s courage to take the shot speaks volumes.
Pedri’s Impact and Endurance
One notable absence from the penalty lineup was Pedri, who was substituted off in the 75th minute, likely due to fatigue after an exhaustive season featuring heavily for both Barcelona and Spain. Throughout this Nations League, Pedri has demonstrated his versatility and class, performing exceptionally both as a deep-lying midfielder and as a ‘number 10’ attacking playmaker. His quick attacking style has proven essential in Spain’s tactics.
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De la Fuente’s trust in Pedri’s ability to influence games from this advanced position reflects the midfielder’s world-class talent. Fans and teammates alike can only wish for a clone of Pedri to fill multiple roles — one operating as he does at Barcelona and another fulfilling his dynamic role for Spain.
