Spain 0-0 Portugal: 5 hits and flops as Iberian derby ends goalless again | International friendly 2021

Flop: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Ronaldo's hat-trick against Spain looks like a distant memory as he fired another blank in the derby

Just like his Juventus team-mate at the other end, Cristiano Ronaldo too endured a tough evening. He struggled to break down Spain's well-drilled backline and looked well below his usual, menacing self. That isn't a good sign for Portugal as the Euros are just days away.

The prolific Selecao captain made a few wayward attempts in the match. He did come really close during the final 10 minutes of the game, but could only fire a good chance straight at Simon before heading a Bruno Fernandes free-kick just wide off the post.

🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo covered over 60 meters in 7 seconds. 36 years old 🤯pic.twitter.com/bRmRize8dF

— Yellow Football (@YellowFootbal) June 4, 2021

A forgetful return to Madrid for the former Los Blancos ace.

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Hit: Aymeric Laporte (Spain)

Laporte earned Spain a clean sheet on his international debut

Aymeric Laporte played his first international game with Spain since switching from France and gave a good account of himself. Playing alongside Pau Torres at the heart of their backline, the Manchester City star even helped La Roja to a clean sheet.

Aymeric Laporte makes his international debut for Spain after switching nationality from France 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/ATX2i26aQz

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 4, 2021

He was hooked off in 79th minute with a slight niggle and Luis Enrique will hope nothing is serious. But it was an impressive debut from him by all accounts, making some crucial blocks and interceptions while looking right at home in the Spanish defense.

In all likelihood, Laporte will start in the Euros.

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Flop: The Iberian derby

The European powerhouses offered no great shakes again

Spain and Portugal clashed for the second time in seven months. On neither occasion we saw any shades of their pulsating encounter at the Russian showpiece which produced a six-goal thriller.

Their last October meeting ended goalless in Lisbon, and now the Iberian derby in Madrid once again saw a cagey affair, with chances coming few and far between.

FULL-TIME 9️⃣0️⃣🇪🇸 Spain 0-0 Portugal 🇵🇹🎯 Possession: 66-34🥅 Shots: 10-5👟 Passes: 622-289#ESPPOR #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/DPP9OSJx9L

— RouteOneFootball (@Route1futbol) June 4, 2021

It's not the most ideal scenario for either team, who're expected to go deep into the upcoming competition. They will look towards their next friendlies to find attacking rhythm.

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