Player Ratings as Crossbar Is Rattled Twice in Entertaining Stalemate

Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo came close in the second half. | Octavio Passos/Getty Images

Portugal drew 0-0 with Spain in Wednesday’s friendly encounter at Estádio José Alvalade, this despite chances falling for both sides in an entertaining encounter.

Spain dominated possession for large spells, but it was the hosts who came closest to scoring, twice hitting the crossbar and twice seeing the ball bounce off the line to safety. Joao Felix then went and produced the miss of the season so far. It was very, very bad.

Here are you player ratings from the Iberian derby.

Rui Patricio (GK) – 7/10 – Made plenty of saves but the vast majority were easy takes for the Wolves goalkeeper.

Joao Cancelo (RB) – 6/10 – Couldn’t contain the incisive running of Dani Olmo to begin with, but found his feet as the match wore on.

Pepe (CB) – 6/10 – Still able to perform to a high enough standard despite being 300 years old, so credit where credit is due for Pepe.

Ruben Semedo (CB) – 6/10 – His debut for the national team at 26 years old will be a moment to savour. Was a key component in defensive set pieces.

Raphael Guerreiro (LB) – 5/10 –
Rodrigo had the running of Guerreiro all through the first half. Will have been happy to see him withdrawn.

Renato Sanches (CM) – 7/10 – Given the most license to attack of the trio, the former Swansea man was unlucky to see an effort smack off the bar in the second half.

Ruben Neves (CM) – 6/10 – Wasn’t able to get on the ball enough to pick out his teammates. Was humorously floored by Adama Traore when the Spaniard came on.

Joao Moutinho (CM) – 5/10 – The experienced member of the midfield was chasing shadows for much of the encounter.

Francisco Trincão (RW) – 5/10 – Found it hard to get possession in any part of the pitch such was Spain’s control, but on the occasion he did get the ball he did next to nothing with it.

Andre Silva (ST) – 5/10 – It’s remarkable how Portugal can’t produce quality strikers. Andre Silva hasn’t bucked the trend.

Cristiano Ronaldo (LW) – 7/10 – Was unlucky not to open the scoring when his thunderous effort nearly cracked the crossbar in two. Then provided Sanches with the chance to do the exact same.

Ruben Dias – 7/10

Bernardo Silva – 7/10

William Carvalho – 6/10

Joao Felix – 6/10

Nelson Semedo – 5/10

Diogo Jota – N/A

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) – 5/10 – Fortunately for Spain, they dominated the match so Kepa had little to do.

Sergi Roberto (RB) – 7/10 – Played almost exclusively inside Portugal’s half, but when called upon to cover Ronaldo’s runs he did so confidently.

Diego Llorente (CB) – 7/10 – Leeds fans who haven’t seen much of Llorente will be pleased with their new centre-back’s distribution out from the back.

Eric Garcia (CB) – 7/10 – Manchester City fans will also take some solace from a solid outing for their young defender.

Sergio Reguilon (LB) – 8/10 – Tottenham fans will also have enjoyed seeing Reguilon continue his fine form, causing a constant threat down the left flank. But they knew this already.

Dani Ceballos (CM) – 6/10 – Had some moments of joy in the first 45 minutes but was the least inspiring of the midfield trio.

Sergio Busquets (CM) – 7/10 – Imperative to the way Spain play, Portugal had no luck playing through the centre of the pitch and that was mainly because of Busquets.

Sergio Canales (CM) – 7/10 – A controlling presence in midfield alongside stalwart Busquets, the Betis midfielder found his forwards well throughout.

Rodrigo (RW) – 8/10 – Had an excellent first half down the right wing, a position he has yet to play in for Leeds. Food for thought for Marcelo Bielsa.

Gerard Moreno (ST) – 6/10 – Was fairly quiet considering the majority of Spain’s play came down the wings. He has work to do to become a regular.

Dani Olmo (LW) – 8/10 – Forest Gump’s favourite. On and off the ball it was impossible to predict what you were going to get.

Jose Gaya – 6/10

Jose Campanga – 6/10

Mikel Moreno – 7/10

Rodri – 6/10

Adama Traore – 8/10

Sergio Ramos – N/A