Leila Ouahabi and Laia Aleixandri were both in action as Spain’s preparations for this month’s Women’s European Championships ended in a 1-1 draw with Italy.

Ouahabi, earning her 47th international cap, started at left-back in Castel di Sangro, while Aleixandri was introduced from the bench just after the hour in an international friendly ahead of Euro 2022.

The Spaniards, for many one of the pre-tournament favourites, registered 12 shots in the opening 45 compared to Italy’s single effort, but were unable to translate that positive play into goals.

And they were punished soon after the break when Italy’s Valentina Bergamaschi grabbed the game’s opener within three minutes of the restart.

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Ouahabi and co. continued to dominate despite the setback and almost drew level when a Patri Guijarro volley struck the crossbar soon after.

But with Spain still trailing as the game ticked over the hour mark, Jorge Vilda decided to ring the changes with Ouahabi replaced by Real Madrid’s Olga Garcia Carmona as part of a triple substitution which also saw Aleixandri enter the fray.

And the visitors were level inside five minutes when Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas marked a century of international appearances with a clinical near-post header.

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Despite continuing to knock on the door, the Spaniards were forced to settle for a share of the spoils ahead of their tournament opener against Finland on Friday 8 July.

They have been drawn in a difficult group against Denmark and Germany, with their first match against the Finns taking place at Stadium MK.

The game is set to get under way at 17:00 (UK), with a match report focusing on how our City stars fare available to view soon after the final whistle on mancity.com and the official Man City app.