Manchester United full-back Batlle features as Spain are held by Germany | OneFootball

Manchester United full-back Ona Batlle featured for Spain as they drew 1-1 with Germany in the opening match of the Arnold Clark Cup at The Riverside Stadium this afternoon.

The 22-year-old collected her 18th senior cap for her country as Spain were denied an opening game win by an under-strength German outfit in Middlesbrough.

Both sides struggled to find their shooting boots in a goalless first half on Teesside. Jule Brand fired an early effort straight at Spain keeper Sandra Pańos before Jennifer Hermoso failed to severely test Merle Frohms at the other end later in the half.

The biggest chance of the first half fell to Spain substitute Lucía García but she was beaten to a through ball by German keeper Frohms who was alert to the danger.

Spain broke the deadlock in the first minute of the second half when a long ball forward caused problems for the German defence and Alexia Putellas was there to lift the ball over Frohms and into the net.

Germany really should have levelled 18 minutes before the end but Lina Magull fired straight at Paños when she looked certain to score while at the other end, Frohms kept her side in the game after superbly denying Lucía García and Alexia seconds apart.

Spain looked set to collect the win until a failed clearance by Batlle rebounded off Maximiliane Rall straight into the path of Lea Schüller who curled the ball beyond Paños into the corner of the Spanish net.

Spain face England in Norwich in their next match on Sunday while Germany take on Canada at the same venue on the same day.