Romania held European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw on Sunday in a Euro 2016 warm-up. Both keepers was forced to make a couple of fine saves to keep the stalemate in a game that also showed that both teams are strong sides heading to the European championship finals in France.
It was Spain’s second friendly in four days following their 1-1 draw away to Italyin Udine that ended their run of seven successive wins as well as a run of six successive clean sheets.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque made 10 changes to the side that started against Italy, with centre back Gerard Pique the only survivor and Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto making his international debut.
The second-string lineup started well, creating some decent chances, and Romania keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu produced an excellent save to deny Pedro Rodriguez an opener after 10 minutes.
The open, attacking nature of the game continued but it was obvious that scoring would be a difficult task against a team unbeaten in their 16 previous games.
Nicolae Stanciu, who scored a stunning long-range winner on his international debut in Romania’s 1-0 win over Lithuania in previous friendly on Thursday, tested Casillas on two occasions with lively Adrian Popa also looking dangerous.
The two coaches made a number of substitutions after the break with the flow fizzling out before Florin Andone beat his marker in the penalty area and smashed a low left-footed shot just wide.
A minute’s silence was observed before the game in a tribute to Dutch great and former Barcelona player and coach Johan Cruyff, who died on Thursday aged 68 after a five-month battle with lung cancer.
- Match stats:
Romania: Tatarusanu; Sapunaru, Chiriches, Grigore, Filip; Pintliii (Robotan, m. 90), Hoban; Stanciu (Sammartean, m.84), Popa (Torje, m.59), Stancu (Ivan, m.65); Andone (Rusescu, m.73).
España: Casillas; Mario Gaspar, Piqué (Nacho, m.51), Bartra, Jordi Alba; Sergi Roberto (Cesc, min.59), Koke, Silva (Morata, m. 78); Pedro (Mata, m.66), Nolito (Isco, m.46), Alcácer (Adúriz, m.59).
Bookings: Ruddy Buquet (FRA) booked Popa (44), Jordi Alba (70), Isco (73).
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