Watch Alvaro Morata’s Euro 2020 nightmare continue as Spain miss FIFTH pen in row vs Slovakia
SPAIN striker Alvaro Morata's Euro 2020 nightmare continued as he saw an 11th minute penalty SAVED by Slovakia keeper Martin Dubravka.
The former Chelsea man confidently took the ball to the spot after Jakub Hromada fouled Koke in the box.
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But Newcastle stopper Dubravka produced a terrific save to palm Morata's powerful effort away from danger.
It means Spain have missed their last FIVE penalties, and this is a game they need to win to secure safe passage from Group E into the last-16.
Spain have also fluffed six of their 11 penalties won at a European Championships.
Speaking before the game, Manchester United legend Gary Neville says Spain striker Morata looks like he 'needs a cuddle'.
The former Chelsea man has fluffed a number of chances for Luis Enrique's side already at Euro 2020 - and now this includes a penalty.
He has scored one goal, but at times has struggled to adapt to Spain's patient passing style.
Fortunately for Morata, his blushes were soon spared by Dubravka as the keeper dramatically punched into his own net to have Spain the lead.
And it got even better for Luis Enrique's side, as they went on to thrash Slovakia 5-0 courtesy of Aymeric Laporte, Pablo Sarabia and Ferran Torres efforts, as well as a Juraj Kucka own goal.
Ahead of the crucial clash, Morata was the topic of discussion for the ITV studio guests.
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Former England Women's star Eni Aluko described the 28-year-old as being a 'sensitive striker'.
And Neville agreed.
He said: "He has that vulnerable look about him, like he needs a cuddle.
"When he misses a chance, it’s like he fears what the media will say.
"He’s not a [Robert] Lewandowski, a [Harry] Kane, steely eyed, he’s not that, he’s very different."
Former Chelsea and Arsenal star Ashley Cole says Morata reminds him of Fernando Torres and his struggles at Stamford Bridge.
The 40-year-old explained: "He reminds me of Fernando Torres when he came to Chelsea.
"At Liverpool he was scoring all kinds of goals, he was in and out of the Chelsea team and found it difficult at time.
"I think he needs an arm around him, and Luis Enrique has given him that."
Torres starred at Liverpool leading Chelsea to sign him for £50million in 2011 - but he failed to recapture anything like what the Anfield faithful saw of him.
Both Neville and Cole agreed that Morata could be struggling to be the head of Spain's patient formation.
Neville said: "He needs crosses in the box but Spain don’t play like that."
And Cole added: "He reminds me of Fernando Torres when he came to Chelsea.
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"At Liverpool he was scoring all kinds of goals, he was in and out of the Chelsea team and found it difficult at time.
"I think he needs an arm around him, and Luis Enrique has given him that."
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