Spain's debut is twisted

Spain started the Olympic Games on the wrong foot, because it did not achieve the desired result and he lost Mingueza and Ceballos, this second with a sprained ankle that doesn't look good. Now, each game is already a final for De la Fuente's men.

La Roja entered the game well, although somewhat thick. Normal at this point in the season. Much dominance, but imprecision in the last meters. The light was put by Ceballos, inspired from the first minute: passes into the gap, dribbles and the best chance for Spain in the first half, with a shot from the edge that crashed into the post.

Slowly, Egypt took the game to its territory: the kicks. The intimidation of Spain with tickets that put the physical integrity of the players at risk has become an all too common habit in lower categories. It is clear that the Egyptians forgot to pack up to Japan the manual of values ​​that the Olympic spirit tries to represent, because what it did on the lawn of the Sapporo Dome is unjustifiable. Up to three intentional stomping, one criminal on Ceballos, left in less than an hour. The Egyptians offered a very extensive repertoire of kicks, of all colors and shapes, in any part of the body.

To Spain misfortunes accumulated in the first part: In just 45 minutes Luis de la Fuente lost two starters, we'll see if for the entire championship. In 18 'Mingueza left due to a muscle puncture and in 41' Dani Ceballos, who was by far the best of the match, retired without being able to support his foot after a criminal tackle by Mohamed that incomprehensibly remained yellow (the referee went to see her at the VAR). This is how unfair football is sometimes: Ceballos had been preparing this solo tournament for a month, who gave a recital in the minutes he was on the field.

In the second half, the Egyptians finally achieved the purpose of unhinging Spain, which barely left arrivals to the area until the final stretch. It was in those minutes that De la Fuente's men had two clamorous occasions: one by Rafa Mir in the 88th minute (he finished off the center with everything at will) and another by Vallejo in discount.

The rival's violence cannot be controlled by Spain, but it can improve in one main point: the punch. In the little that they tested El Shanawy, the Egyptian goalkeeper, he showed signs of a rather poor level. The problem is that La Roja did not check it until minute 90, when a shot without apparent danger from Soler slipped through his hands. The Selection deserved, long, to take the three points and this tie can be made good with a victory against Australia in the next game. The recipe is clear: do not lick your wounds regretting the Egyptian kicks and focus on the aspects to improve that remain under the control of Spain, which are not few. Now the margin of error no longer exists.