Wolves' Adama Traore impresses on long-awaited Spain debut
Wolves winger Adama Traore has been praised by Spain boss Luis Enrique for playing in his ‘purest form’ on his international debut.
At long last, the 24-year-old grabbed his first Spain cap on Wednesday night as they drew 0-0 with Portugal.
He replaced Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets on the hour mark and impressed, typically bursting to the byline and crossing to Dani Olmo – who was denied by Traore’s Molineux team-mate Rui Patricio.
And Enrique said: “Adama has been Adama in his purest form.
“That is what we want him to be, with his ability to beat opponents.
“He has played a killer pass to Dani Olmo that did not lead to a goal.
“With one player they will not to be able to stop him. They are going to have to use two players.”
Traore’s cap came after being unable to play both times he was previously called up to the Spain fold.
In the last round of international fixtures, he initially tested positive for Covid-19 and although it was later determined a ‘false positive’, he was ordered to stay away as per Uefa guidelines.
After his first call-up last November too, he was forced to pull out with an injury.
Traore’s first Spain appearance ended speculation over him choosing to play for Mali, where his parents are from.
He also found himself up against some familiar faces, with Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Nelson Semedo and Patricio all playing for Portugal in Lisbon.
Daniel Podence was not included in the matchday squad, but he will hope to make his senior international bow against either France on Sunday or Sweden on Wednesday.
Patricio became the first man to keep a clean sheet against Spain since June 2016, and Enrique added: “People cannot be sad for not having seen goals.
“It was fun. We created that, and who scores interests me very little.
‘Sometimes we do not read the game well. We have phases in which we lose control. I do not like that the games go crazy.”
Wolves’ star striker Raul Jimenez shone again for Mexico too, scoring a penalty to give them a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
A remarkable 16 gold and black stars are currently away with their countries.
And it could have been 17 as Willy Boly was selected by the Ivory Coast for their friendly matches against Belgium and Japan.
The French-born defender, though, is yet to decide on his international future and, as he has done in the past, opted to turn down the opportunity.
He will instead be one of the few working at Compton ahead of Wolves’ Premier League trip to Leeds a week on Monday.
It is hoped Brazilian defender Fernando Marcal will recover from a calf injury in time for the Elland Road clash.
