SPAIN 2 – 0 FRANCE
Alonso 19’, 91’(p)
|
SPAIN |
FRANCE |
|
| Possession (%) |
53 |
47 |
| Shots |
10 |
5 |
| Shots on target |
5 |
1 |
| Corners |
7 |
3 |
| Yellow Cards |
1 |
2 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
Starting with the same personnel as their opening game against Italy, Vicente del Bosque restored faith in Cesc Fabregas as a ‘surprise number 9’ following Fernando Torres’ tame performance against Sweden. Laurent Blanc decided to make three changes to his team, opting for a modification to the right hand side with Anthony Reveillere and Florent Malouda. Laurent Koscielny played at the centre of defence to replace the suspended Philippe Mexes.
Spain had never beaten France in a competitive match and naturally set out to maintain possession and force the opposition to chase the game. The French players found themselves on the back foot for most of the first half and it was Spain who made the first move. Barcelona middle man Cesc Fabregas had a penalty shout dismissed after coming together with Clichy, and Xabi Alonso aptly broke the deadlock scoring on his 100th cap with a far post header after a great ball from Jordi Alba. The Real Madrid regular arrived late at the back post after some great work from Alba and headed back across goal to open up his Euro 2012 account.
France’s first real opportunity came from a Benzema free kick 30 yards out that he blasted miles over. Minutes later, Spain were on the defensive again when Yohan Cabaye took the reins and curled a free-kick from distance but Casillas was equal to it and pushed out for a corner. After a reasonably uneventful first half, Spain would have been the happier of the two sides.
Despite not starting, most of you had put Fernando Torres in your PlayUp 3Strikers selection. Fancy a go? Follow the link!
Both teams came out after the break just as cautiously as in the opening period. Spain were out of the blocks fastest again and after five minutes, Alonso had a long range effort that skewed well off target. But France were not to be overthrown and began to ask questions of the European champions. Just before the hour, Ribery did well down the left and crossed towards Debuchy who headed narrowly over.
In the final third of the game, Blanc went for a more offensive approach and introduced Menez and Nasri for Debuchy and a disappointing Malouda. With 20 minutes left on the clock, M’Vila released Ribery down the left who pulled it back, but Casillas got to it before Menez was able to react. Inside the last five minutes, it was almost a foregone conclusion that France had surrendered defeat. Nasri’s involvement after coming on was almost nonexistent and the fact that France were only one of two countries whose strikers hadn’t scored at Euro 2012 (the other being the Republic of Ireland).
In stoppage time, Spain sealed the win when Pedro elegantly escaped Reveillere with some quick footwork in the France area of which the Lyon defender was unable to adjust to. He proceeded to floor Barcelona’s young winger and Alonso stepped up to calmly place home his spot kick and put Spain through to the semi-finals. They will now face the victor of tomorrow’s victors, England or Italy.
Xabi Alonso scored his first goal of the tournament tonight, but only 10% of you had picked him in PlayUp’s Next Goal game. Make your selections now!
|
SPAIN |
FRANCE |
| 01 Casillas | 01 Lloris |
| 17 Arbeloa | 13 Reveillere |
| 03 Pique | 04 Rami |
| 15 Ramos █ | 21 Koscielny |
| 18 Jordi Alba | 22 Clichy |
| 06 Xavi | 02 Debuchy (Menez 64’ █) |
| 16 Busquets | 06 Cabaye █ |
| 14 Alonso | 17 M’Vila (Giroud 79’) |
| 08 Iniesta | 15 Malouda (Nasri 64’) |
| 21 Silva (Pedro 65’) | 07 Ribery |
| 10 Fabregas (Torres 67’) | 10 Benzema |
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