Spain 1-1 Greece: result, summary, goals
Spain vs Greece: as it happened
Spain player ratings vs Greece
Spain and Greece played out a 1-1 draw in the World Cup 2022 qualifying match at the Estadio de Los Cármenes in Granada on Thursday. We rated each of Luis Enrique's players following the Group B encounter.
In a game that Spain dominated, with over 80% possession, they lacked the cutting edge in the final third to open their 2022 World Cup campaign with a victory.
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- 78%21%
- 80%19%
- 55%44%
- 82%17%
- 86%13%
- 65%34%
- 90%9%
- 92%7%
- 76%24%
- 75%24%
- 69%30%
- 89%10%
- 93%6%
Álvaro Morata celebrates his fine goal in Spain's 1-1 draw with Greece.
Photo: Getty images
Not the result that Spain were looking for. The home side had plenty of possession but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. Greece fly home with a point thanks to captain Bakasetas's second half penalty.
FT: Spain 1-1 Greece
Gil crosses, Greece clear!
Marcos Llorente crosses to the back post. Gaya arrives but is unable to bring it down.
There will be four minutes of added time.
Pedri and Gil combine down the left but fail to break through Greece's two banks of four.
Five minutes left in normal time.
Until tonight, Spain hadn't conceded a goal at home (in Spain) in seven games.
Zeca picks up a yellow for Greece.
Plenty of changes made for both sides now which has naturally disrupted the play. We're approaching the last 10 minutes of the game. 1-1
Greece change
Bakasetas OFF
Giakoumakis ON
Gaya sends a cross into the box, it's just too strong for Oyarzabal at the back post.
Less than 20 minutes to go in Granada and it remains 1-1.
Thiago takes the captain's armband from the departing Koke.
Spain changes
OFF Koke & Ferran
ON Thiago & Oyarzabal
Gil flies down the left wing but fires his cross out for a goalkick. He really does look like a modern-day Beatle.
Morata header!
The Juve striker plants his header into the ground before it lands easily into the hands of Greek netminder Vlachodimos
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- 78%21%
- 80%19%
- 55%44%
- 82%17%
- 86%13%
- 65%34%
- 90%9%
- 92%7%
- 76%24%
Bryan Gil is the first ever Eibar player to play for Spain.
Pedri and Gil won't forget tonight (making debuts). Both players are expected to have very exciting futures in the game.
Greece change
Fortounis ON
Masouras OFF
SPAIN changes:
Pedri & Gil ON
Canales & Olmo OFF
Spain are beginning to play with some more urgency as they look to take the lead for the second time tonight.
Pedri is about to come in for Spain.
Corner Spain!
Played short, ball gets played into the box. Morata goes down. Without VAR everyone looks lost. Referee says no penalty.
Spain 1-1 Greece
Brilliant penalty from Bakasetas to equalise for Greece. He gives Unai Simón no chance and buries it high down the middle.
The Spain players are complaining but there is no VAR!
PENALTY GREECE!
Pedri and Bryan Gil are expected to come on soon for their senior Spain debuts.
Ramos' halftime change was pre-planned, according to Cadena SER.
Morata chance!
Morata hits the side netting after a nice right wing cross from Ferran Torres.
The second half is now underway!
Greece change
Siopis ON
Limnios OFF
Iñigo Martínez ON
Sergio Ramos OFF
Spain are going to make a change at halftime..
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- 78%21%
- 80%19%
- 55%44%
- 82%17%
HT: Spain 1-0 Greece
Morata fouls in the box. Free out to Greece.
Koke strikes!
It's blocked and goes out for a Spain corner.
Masouras finds himself in an offside position from Greece's long free-kick from inside their own half.
Ramos is playing like a defensive midfielder. Lucho's team have plenty of cover playing with a back four. The Spanish captain is constantly looking to start moves from deep.
Spain continue to dominate possession since Morata's goal. Greece don't look like taking too many risks.
Tonight's goal is Morata's 19th in his 37 games for Spain.
Super goal by Spain. Koke crosses to Morata at the back post, who takes it down on the chest and volleys into the top corner from close range. Lovely finish.
Spain 1-0 Greece
Many Spain fans will be wondering why Marcos Llorente is playing at right-back tonight. It may seem like a strange choice from Luis Enrique for a player who has been so prolific going forward over the last 12 months at Atlético Madrid.
Greece have yet to offer anything going forward. Ramos miss places a pass but manages to clear up the danger. Spain are very comfortable here but are yet to create any real clear-cut chances.
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- 78%21%
- 80%19%
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- 82%17%
Papadopoulos catches Morata on the side of the head. The centre-back manages to avoid an early yellow card.
Luis Enrique is on his feet trying to offer some advice as his team look to break the deadlock.
We're just past the 20 minute mark in Granada. It remains scoreless.
Spain vs Greece: H2H
via SofaScore
It really is no surprise to see Koke in the starting XI. He has been superb for Atlético this season, also offers Luis Enrique that box-to-box role in a midfield three.
CHANCE SPAIN!
Koke goes close with Spain's best chance of the game so far. The Atlético captain should really do better but earns a corner for his efforts in the box.
Greece are starting the high press now after plenty of early possession for Spain.
There are zero Barca players in Spain's XI tonight and just the one Real Madrid player - Sergio Ramos.
Spain vs Greece:
7 wins for Spain
2 draws
1 defeat
Greece captain Bakasetas gets a whack from Eric Garcia. He definitely felt that one but the striker is now back on his feet and ready to go.
Spain are knocking it about with some urgency. Ramos is starting moves from centre-back - playing long balls wide to Gaya and Ferran Torres.
Marcos Llorente gets a start for Spain tonight. He has been outstanding for Atlético Madrid this season, with 9 goals in LaLiga from midfield.
Luis Enrique has opted against starting the new call-ups Pedri, Gil, Sánchez and Porro.
Chance Spain!
Dani Olmo heads over from 7 yards - he didn't know much about it but a positive start from La Roja.
Sergio Ramos captains Spain tonight and gets an early touch in defence.
Spain are playing in all white from right to left as we watch it. Greece are playing in their all blue kit.
We're underway in Granada!
It's Spain vs Greece
Spain are expected to set up in a 4-3-3
We've just heard the Greece national anthem. Now we have the Spanish one.
The teams are out!
Kick-off is in just over 10 minutes!
We'll be bringing you live updates as they happen in Granada for tonight's Group B World Cup qualifier between Spain and Granada.
Spain vs Greece: tonight's venue is the Estadio de Los Cármenes in Granada.
Photo: Getty images
Spain vs Greece: head-to-head
We take a look at the previous meetings between the sides with the help of SofaScore.
Morata: "I see Cristiano staying at Juventus"
Juventus striker Alvaro Morata spoke to 'El Larguero' ahead of Spain vs Greece.
"There are a lot of new faces, a lot of younger players. You see Pedri and you can chat to him. At his age I was quite clueless. They seem very mature. It's great to see them with the national team and watch how they react to it. When I first was called up, I didn't even see the ball because I was so nervous".
What level is Spain at compared to other countries?
"There's France, Italy, who are always difficult to play against... Holland, who I like a lot… and not forgetting Belgium... Portugal are always up there… We shouldn't think that we are below any team although we still haven't hit our peak. We have to keep a positive outlook and stay upbeat. We are no worse than any other team. Just look at how we beat Germany - a side with an attack valued at 300 million euros."
The Greece team went for a morning stroll around Granada on the day of their World Cup qualifier versus Spain.
Ramos chases caps record as Real Madrid impasse goes on
The Spain squad reported for duty on Monday with just the one Real Madrid player in their ranks, something that always feels a little strange. As I’m sure you well know, Los Blancos’ sole representative is the national captain, Sergio Ramos.
Spain announce their starting XI
Unai Simón - Marcos Llorente, Eric García, Ramos, Gaya - Rodri, Canales, Koke - Ferran Torres, Morata, Dani Olmo.
Liverpool and Spain midfielder Thiago Alcántara speaks to AS
Ahead of Spain's 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Greece, Georgia and Kosovo, Thiago spoke to AS about La Roja and life at Liverpool, who face Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Thiago Alcántara is a nailed-on pick for the Spain squad under head coach Luis Enrique and was chosen to model La Roja's new Adidas away shirt, which goes on sale on Tuesday. After trying it on for size and taking part in a photo session, the Liverpool midfielder spoke to AS.
The 29-year-old not only looked ahead to his country’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Greece, Georgia and Kosovo but also discussed life in the Premier League, as his new club prepares to take on Real Madrid in Europe.
Barcelona midfielder Pedri included in Spain squad for first time
Brighton & Hove Albion's Robert Sánchez has earned his first call-up, but David de Gea will probably be the goalkeeper featuring in the lineup.
Íñigo Martínez and Diego Llorente could start in defence if Luis Enrique decides not to risk Sergio Ramos, who has had injury issues in the last weeks.
Rising Barcelona star Pedri has also been included in the squad for the first time, while Ferran Torres could once again be supporting in-form Álvaro Morata up front.
Spain's young stars handed their squad numbers
Pedri, Bryan Gil, Pedro Porro and Robert Sánchez have chosen the numbers they will wear with Spain's national team when they make their debuts.
Bryan Gil has opted for the No.9, Pedri has gone for No.20, Pedro Perro will wear the No.2 and Robert Sánchez has elected the number 13 shirt.
Elsewhere, Ferrán Torres will be wearing the No.11 after wearing the No.18 during the Germany game in which he scored a hat trick. Below is the complete list of squad numbers for the Spain squad for the next three international fixtures.
Spain under Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique’s squad, who could rack up their 10th consecutive victory on home soil, are looking to qualify for the World Cup for the 12th time running, last failing to do so in 1974.
Spain, who also have the Euros and the Nations League semi-final with Italy to be played this year, are desperate to improve upon their recent performances at the world's most prestigious football tournament.
In 2014 they failed to advance past the group stage, while four years later, Russia, the hosts of the tournament, knocked Spain out on penalties in the last-16.
Meanwhile, Dutch coach John van 't Schip's Greece side failed to qualify for the continental championships for the second time in a row. They were only able to win four of their 10 qualification matches in 2019.
Spain vs Greece: how and where to watch - times, TV, online
All the info you need on how and where to watchSpain host Greece at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes (Granada) on 25 March at 3:45 p.m. ET / 8:45 p.m CET.
You can also follow our live commentary right here on AS English.
Spain vs Greece live: welcome
Hello and welcome to AS English's live coverage of this 2022 World Cup qualifier between Spain and Greece at Estadio de Los Cármenes in Granada. Kick-off is at 20:45 CET.