Romania vs Spain. International Match.
Cluj Arena.
Sunday 27 March 2016 22:42, UK
Iker Casillas equalled the European appearances record by claiming his 166th cap as Spain played out a goalless draw with Romania in Cluj-Napoca.
His opposite number Ciprian Tatarusanu took the plaudits following his fine performance against the reigning European champions, but all eyes were on Casillas, who matched retired Latvia midfielder Vitalijs Astafjevs' haul of international caps when he started for Spain on Sunday night.
Romania made the brighter start with midfielder Nicolae Stanciu and defender Adrian Popa firing shots off target.
But the hosts were then indebted to Tatarusanu, who kept out Gerard Pique's header and Pedro's low shot in quick succession.
Chances at either end were plenty in the opening 20 minutes. Popa's shot from Bogdan Stancu's knock down was inches wide and Spain midfielder Nolito's effort was brilliantly saved again by Tatarusanu in the bottom corner.
Romanian forwards Stancu and Stanciu combined to trouble the Spanish defence in the 28th minute when the latter's low shot forced Casillas into a fine save.
Pique's shot early in the second half was turned away by Tatarusanu and at the other end Stancu pulled his effort from inside the area wide.
Stancu then set up another chance following a swift counter-attack, but Florin Andone's angled drive flashed inches the wrong side of a post and fellow midfielder Steliano Filip was off target from outside the box.
Stancu blazed a shot from inside the area over the crossbar and Spain responded through defender Mario's 66th-minute header.
But Romania continued to look the more likely to break the deadlock. Midfielder Ovidiu Hoban went close from long range before Spain substitute Alvaro Morata fizzed a shot wide with seven minutes left following Cesc Fabregas' assist.
Romania almost snatched it in the 90th minute when striker Raul Rusescu headed fellow substitute Gabriel Torje's cross wide but the game ended goalless.
