Portugal 0-0 Spain: Half-Time Thoughts

It's 0-0 at the break in Dallas but the first half has been an entertaining watch. Spain have had more of the ball but Portugal have defended well and created a few chances on the counter and from set-pieces.

The match began quite scrappy, with neither side really able to settle straight away. Portugal set up more deeper and not pressing the composed Spanish defence. As the half went on, Spain began to dominate possession more but struggled to take their chances. 

Mikel Oyarzabal missed a golden opportunity in the eighth minute to put Spain ahead. His run was excellent and Dani Olmo found him perfectly, putting the striker one-on-one with Diogo Costa, but he put his shot wide of the post.

Diogo Costa was called into action a few times in the first half. He pulled off a fantastic double save to deny both Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena an opener. Nuno Mendes also had a great chance for Portugal when his shot was deflected onto the bar by Pedro Porro.

Cristiano Ronaldo has had his moments and was close to opening the scoring with a difficult chance that was saved by Unai Simon. He also could have been awarded a penalty for supposed shirt-pulling by Rodri but the foul was not given by the referee and VAR did not intervene. 

Both sides have had chances and the second half is going to be exciting. Spain have had more of the ball but Portugal's counter attacks could cause them problems. Yamal has not had a major impact so far but he only needs one chance and he will punish Portugal. Spain will be confident that they can find a goal but the longer the score stays at 0-0, the better for Portugal.