Armada cruised to Semis

Spain 2 – 0 France

19′ Xabi Alonso, 90+1′ (P) Xabi Alonso

With France not defeating Spain in their last seven clashes doing rounds all over, it was a more of a mental support for France to repeat history, which they could not live up to. Putting it straight, they didn’t even seem to give it a good try.

Highly experienced Spanish team started off with blasts of attacks as usual, led by a couple of David Silva’s trademark inside cuts from the right flank. Often being criticized for lack of effective wing play, Spain responded with numerous overlaps on the left and right wings from Jordie Alba and Arbeloa. In one such overlap by Alba, a nicely played pass from Iniesta followed. After a failed attempt by Mathieyu Debuchy to track Alba, his subsequent run into the box resulted in a final cross neatly played to Xabi Alonso lying unguarded in the middle. The powerful header of Alonso gave Spain 1-0 lead at 19th minute. What could be more apt than Alonso scoring on his 100th appearance for his country!

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That header !

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A series of attacks followed after that- Iniesta and Xavi crafting their way through getting very close on occasions, and France appearing virtually non-existent on the field over the entire first half.  Only a free kick by Cabaye at the left top corner of the post from 25 yards tested Casillas’ skills.

2nd half rolled on steadily with complacent Spain merely penetrating France defence to the deep, happy retaining possession and control of the game. Stranger than that, France never tried to snatch the rein of the game from Spain, apart from some gallant efforts from Ribery as usual. Others were just putting up disjoint individual efforts which were definitely not enough to answer symphonic Spanish team. Blanc’s substitution of Malouda by Nasri too didn’t alter things. The closest chance came on 59th minute when a well crafted Ribery cross found Debuchy who headed it over the post. To add to their misery, into the last minute of the game Pedro was brought down by Reveillore, penalty awarded and Alonso made it 2-0.

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After the fruitless campaign

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In came Torres at 66th minute, but didn’t have much to offer apart from conceding his team a couple of offsides. With a good conventional striker, Spain could have ended up 4-0. With the French side, Benzema was often getting cut-off from the game playing as lone striker, Ribery tried hard to make up alone, with his crosses, corner kicks- which were simply not enough to submerge the Spanish Armada. Today they were far shadow of their performances in the opening two games of the tournament.

Quotes


“Playing with a true forward gives you more depth but we wanted to have more continuity, to dominate and to have possession of the ball in order to create chances” – Vicente del Bosque, Spain coach

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“This Spanish side are great. We shouldn’t have any shame saying they’re a better side than us. I have regrets the way we conceded the opener” – Laurent Blanc, France coach

About Debmalya Ghosh