Lisbon stalemate as Campaña and Traore debut for 'La Roja'
Portugal 0-0 Spain
A match that both managers will take certain positives from. Luis Enrique gave debuts to Jose Campaña and Adama Traore with Wolves player impressing in the second half. Portugal boss Fernando Santos will be pleased with the way his side responded in the second period after being outplayed by 'La Roja' in the bulk of the first half.
Portugal created the better chances on the night with the crossbar saving Spain on two occasions with Kepa soundly beaten after Ronaldo and Sanches rattled the bar.
Dani Olmo had the best chance of the game for Luis Enrique's side and after good work from Traore, the RB Leipzig saw his effort well saved by Rui Patricio in the Portugal goal.
A draw which sets both sides up well ahead of tough forthcoming UEFA Nations League games with Portugal facing France and Sweden and Spain looking forward to tests against Switzerland before travelling to Kiev to face Ukraine.
Spain the better side in the first half and Portugal very much control in the second 45' with a draw about a fair result.
The whistle sounds in Lisbon and it ends 0-0.
Jota goes close after a Portugal counter and Campaña clears as Joao Felix is inches away from latching onto a flick on and the ball trickles wide. Great chance for the European champions to sneak it at the death.
Confirmed, 3 mins. of time to be added.
Last minute here in Lisbon. No stoppages to talk about so three minutes of added time would be reasonable.
Ramos gets onto the Campaña corner but the Madrid captain gets under the ball and nods high and over the bar.
The clock ticks down and Spain win a corner. Traore has looked very sharp since coming on for 'La Roja'.
Long ball from Joao Felix looking for Jota but Kepa is alert and intercepts. A clean sheet will be a shot in the arm for the Chelsea goalkeeper.
A volley of jeers ring out each time Sergio Ramos comes into contact with the ball from the 2,000 strong here in Lisbon.
Very much a game of two halves here tonight in Lisbon. Spain in control in the first half and the second period very much being bossed by the home side.
Carvalho should do better there as the Betis player heads well wide.
Eric Garcia off/Sergio Ramos on with a volley of whistles from the home fans greeting the arrival of the defender.
173 international caps for Sergio Ramos with the Real Madrid captain set to be the final change for 'La Roja' of the night
The new Liverpool siging is the sixth and final change for Fernando Santos.
A lull in the game now as Spain retain possession and Portugal sit deep. Jota on for Trincao.
Portugal poised to make their final change of the night.
Kepa called into action as Joao Felix breaks. Decent stop from the Chelsea stopper with Portugal knocking on the door now.
It appears that Ronaldo made his way straight to the dressing room rather than sit on the bench or stand as things currently dictate. Not a fan of being substututed is the striker from Funchal.
CR7 makes way for Joao Felix.
Joao Felix set to make an appearance as Sergio Ramos starts to warm up for Spain. Olmo tests Rui Patricio after fine work from Traore.
Two let-offs for Spain tonight with Kepa completely beaten by both shots that hit the woodwork. Portugal very much in control of the game now with a goal for the men in red getting closer one feels.
Another Wolves player takes to the pitch as Nelson Semedo comes on for Portugal. Guerreiro making way.
Great delivery from Ronaldo to find the Lille player.
Renato Sanches fires off the bar and the ball bounces off the line and gos back into play. Portugal now on top with Carvalho making a huge difference for Santos' side.
Traore in action and wins a corner for his side with pure determnination.
Portugal looking far more organised in this second half and not being outplayed as was the case in the first 30 minutes of the first half. Canales makes way for debutante Traore. Busquets also exiting for Rodri.
The Barcelona born player (Traore) set to make his international debut.
Adama Traore poised to make an entrance with the Wolves player getting last minute instructions from Luis Enrique.
118th cap for Busquets tonight !
Campaña takes the resulting free-kick but the ball ends up with Rui Patricia.
Olmo fouled as Semedo takes out the RB Leipzig man with a kick to the face.
Corner for Spain, Campaña takes and goes short as Olmo latches onto the ball but drives well over the bar.
Cristiano rattles the ball off the crossbar, best chance of the game falls to the veteran striker.
Portugal looking far more direct in the early stages of this second half. Still would like to see more from Trincao and Ronaldo.
Three changes per side.... I think we're wrapped them up there. Three substitutes outstanding per side.
Moutinho off with Carvalho making way
Ruben Dias for Pepe / Bernardo Silva for Andre Silva, more halt time changes for Portugal.
Spain start the action in this second half. Jose Campaña (on for Rodrigo) also a half time change with the Levante player making his debut. 3 changes so far from Luis Enrique.
Ceballos also off for Spain with Merino on. Changes for Portugal too and we'll go through them when the play settles down.
Reguilon seems to be carrying a knock.
We're back in Lisbon as the sides emerge from the tunnel. Gaya (Spain) seems to be ready to come on and is the replacement for Reguilon.
An unhappy Fernando Santos gestures to his side in Lisbon.
Spain's Gerard Moreno in action with Portugal's Renato Sanches
Inevitably we'll see the rhythm interrupted in the second period with the six changes that both managers will want to employ.
Spain very much the stronger side in Lisbon in the first 45'. Gerard Moreno and Dani Olmo looking good going forward with Sergio Canales solid in the centre. Disappointing half from the Portugal side who only came into the action in the last ten minutes or so.
Half time in Lisbon and it remains goalless - Portugal 0-0 Spain
Reguilon carded for a rash challenge.
Guerreiro should have done better but the Dortmund player blazes over as the half time break looms. Best chance for Portugal tonight.
Into the final five minutes of the half we go. Spain dominate and Fernando Santos will be far from impressed by what he has witnessed in this first half. Zero danger created so far this evening from the men in red.
Despite his age, there is still an air of menace when Cristiano Ronaldo gets the ball as Kepa is called to intercept a speculative cross ball.
Spain's movement tonight is excellent, Olmo, Gerard, Sergi Roberto and Canales in the centre impressing.
Six changes per side will be permitted for tonight's friendly game and with stern tests ahead for both sides over the next few days am sure both Fernando Santos and Luis Enrique will avail of this allocation.
Despite the game being a friendly, there is a decent tempo to the action with robust tackles flying in too.
Portugal playing higher now and enjoying their best spell of the evening as Trincao looks for a foul. Nothing going says the match official as Spain regain possession.
As mentioned a quiet evening to date for Kepa and a clean sheet for the Chelsea keeper would do his confidence levels a world of good.
Ball floated over but Pepe fouls and the whistle sounds for free-kick for Spain.
Pepe wins a free for his side after being sandwiched by two Spain players. CR7 waits for the delivery ...
Portugal currently Euro champions plus winners of the inaugural UEFA Nations League securing the title in the wonderful city of Porto ...
Busquets clips Neves with the No.18 struggling from the impact.
The last time these teams met in a competitive game was the World Cup group game in 2018 with the fans in Sochi enjoying a rip roaring 3-3 draw. Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a hat trick that night with one a stunning dirtect free kick.
Over 20 minutes gone and I don't think Kepa in the Spain goal has touched the ball yet. Very little attacking threat from the European champions to date.
The veteran defemder gets to his feet and gets a round of applause from the fans present.
Poor challenge from Reguilon as he scythes into Pepe who looks to be in pain.
Gerard goes close but fires his effort into the side netting. Solid performance from the Villarreal striker so far this evening. Dani Olmo has also impressed for Luis Enrique's men.
The new Portugal home shirt with the 'polo shirt pique' look is rather smart !
We've seen very little from Trincao and Cristiano so far this evening with very little getting through to the Portuguese attack. Fine strike from Rodrigo as Rui Patricio smothers well.
Confirmation that the FPF have allowed 1,500 fans attend tonight's game with strict protocols in place surrounding access to the Avalade.
Ten minutes gone in Lisbon with Spain very much in control.
Portugal face France and Sweden in their Nations League tests
Tonight's match a fine test for both sides with stern UEFA Nations League tests ahead...Spain face Switzerland this Saturday before travelling to Kiev to play Ukraine.
Chants of Port--u-gal, Port-u-gal ring out as Dani Olmo (again) fires a wicked cross into the Portugal box.
Fine play from "La Roja" with Dani Olmo flashing a shot across the face of the Portugal goal. Spain very much on top in the first few minutes of action.
Despite maybe 1,000/2,000 fans only present tonight, it's so good to have real noise coming from the stands.
Early pressure from Spain as Dani Olmo and Gerard link up well but Rui Patricio in the Portugal spread well to avert the danger.
Porto's Pepe winning his 111th cap tonight with Cristiano Ronaldo claiming an impressive 166th international appearance for the national side.
Off we go in Lisbon, Portugal get us underway.
Sergio Busquets is the Spanish captain tonight as he exchanges pennants with Cristiano. Kick off just moments away now.
The teams are on the pitch as the Spanish national anthem rings out. Now the turn of the Portuguese national as the sparse crowd hold their scarves above their heads.
CR7 finalising his warm up as kick off looms...
A very pleasant October evening in the Portuguese capital tonight with an ideal playing temperature of 23C/73.4F
Spain set to wear all white tonight with Portugal set to debut their new 2020/21 home kit (red shirt, green shorts)
Big night ahead for under-fire Kepa
Spain coach Luis Enrique has encouraged goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to rise to the challenge of being usurped as Chelsea's number one and told him to prove his talent and ability for the national team.
Both managers fielding strong sides with the Spain starting XI featuring six Premier League based players.... Kepa, Llorente, Garcia, Ceballos, Rodrigo & Reguilon.
One of the lucky few fans who will be able to watch the game live tonight.....
Mikel Oyarzabal did not travel with Spain to Portugal for Wednesday's friendly after testing positive for coronavirus antibodies.
UEFA guidance on such PCR test results is that Oyarzabal should not be present at the stadium, despite not posing a risk of spreading Covid-19.
The Portugal XI is confirmed:
The 50,000 capacity Estádio José Alvalade (home to Sporting CP) is the venue for tonight's match which is being played behind with a few limited number of fans present as a medical preventative measure in face of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Kick-off in the Portuguese capital is at 20:45 CEST with both sides anxious to impress tonight as they both head into key Nations League fixtures.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage as we bring you Portugal vs Spain live from Lisbon.