Spanish Summer

Oh we've all seen the script before. Spain's striker problem is like an irritating mosquito: we can all see it; but it's still there. And so for 88 long minutes; they labored to mediocrity again; struggling to break down a well-drilled Portugal defence in the unique Braga stadium.

This was a match Portugal did not have to win. But Spain did. And so was the big problem for Portugal. Even though Fernando Santos had claimed his side would go for the win; they didn't exactly turn out that way. Conceding bags of possession to their Spanish opponents; they increasingly took on the demeanor of a team that was afraid to lose; and not one that wanted to win. And so in the end it turned out.

And what a rush of emotion transpired when of all men; Alvaro Morata; the much-maligned striker symbolic of Spain's woes; was the one who turned up to sweep home Nico Williams' perfect header back. The substitute Williams really made a difference; as he came on to inject some much-needed flair into the Spanish ranks. Cue the tantrumic demons of Cristiano Ronaldo; who had another outing to forget; the empty stare of Santos and the collective gasp from an aghast stadium; as it will be Spain who journey to the Nations League finals next June.