Radamel Falcao became Colombia’s record goalscorer but it was not enough to give them a win over Spain, who had Alvaro Morata to thank.
Alvaro Morata scored a late equaliser as Spain drew 2-2 with Colombia in an engrossing friendly match in Murcia on Wednesday.
The visitors had looked set to claim the win after Edwin Cardona and Radamel Falcao put them ahead following David Silva’s opener, only for Morata’s brilliant header to rescue a draw for the home side.
The goal spared head coach Julen Lopetegui from his first defeat since succeeding Vicente del Bosque last year, although it marked the first time that Spain have conceded two goals in a home match since a 3-2 win over Ivory Coast in 2006.
A minute’s reflection was held prior to kick-off to mark the deaths of former Colombia international Marcos Coll, the ex-president of the coaching committee in Murcia, Manuel Redon, and Ignacio Echeverria, a Spanish citizen killed in the terror attack in London last Saturday.
Lopetegui named a strong starting line-up that included veterans Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Silva alongside debutant Asier Illarramendi, and Spain deserved the lead they took when the Manchester City star netted after 22 minutes.
A dreadful defensive mix-up allowed Cardona to score a well-taken equaliser, however, before Falcao’s bullet header shortly after half-time – his 26th international goal, two years on from his 25th – left Estadio Nueva Condomina stunned.
Spain enjoyed 71 per cent of the ball but looked unlikely to stop a resurgent Colombia from claiming a third win in a row, until they were saved by an expert finish from Real Madrid man Morata, who continues to be heavily linked with Manchester United.