Spain .vs. France

This game yet again caused controversy before kick-off with Spain choosing to play with no striker, taking out Fernando Torres and replacing him with Cesc Fabregas after a disappointing game for Torres against Croatia, and a French side looking to show their resilience after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to a Swedish side already knocked out of the tournament.

Spanish Line Up

01  Casillas

03  Pique

15  Ramos

17  Arbeloa

18  Alba

06  Iniesta

08  Xavi

10  Fabregas

14  Alonso

16  Busquets

21  Silva

French Line Up

01  Lloris

02  Debuchy

04  Rami

13  Reveillere

21  Koscielny

22  Clichy

06  Cabaye

15  Malouda

17  M'Vila

07  Ribery

10  Benzema

The game kicked off with both sides having good spells of early possession but no final product at both ends, the first big call of the game was a penalty shout for Spain when a ball was lofted in over Clichy's head and Fabregas was in behind and Clichy seemed to nudge Fabregas to the ground but the referee saw nothing in it and waved play on. Spain's passing became very sloppy after that but France couldn't break through the Spanish defence. After a surging run by Alba the French right back, Debuchy slipped and allowed Alba to get in a cross to Alonso who was unmarked and the far post and with the goalkeeper flat footed he drove his header into the far corner to put the reigning champions 1-0 up, after this France tried to get as many players behind the ball as possible to stop conceding more. France's best chance of the half was a free-kick from 35 yards out by Cabaye forcing Casillas into a comfortable save but showing that France can be a threat.

HT - Spain 1-0 France

Xabi Alonso heading Spain into the lead.

The first ten minutes of the second half started like the first ten minutes of the first half with both sides having their fait share of possession but not creating any chances but as time went on France began to keep the ball well and throw a good few passes together keeping it away from Spain which changed the balance of the game, then on 60 minutes Ribery managed to swing in a cross and find the head of Debuchy who's head just floated over the bar but the French attack were starting to ask questions of the Spanish defence. Spain then decided to make an important change by putting on a striker in the form of Fernando Torres in place of Cesc Fabregas. After the chage the game began to slow down apart from a cross by Ribery calmly hled by Casillas and a Torres shot seved by Lloris before realising he was offside. On 89 minutes Spain had a chance as Pedro got away from his defender and was taken down by Reveillere and a penalty was given and Xabi Alonso sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way to confirm a Spain vs Portugal semi final on wednesday.


FT - Spain 2-0 France


Man of The Match - Man of the match for me was Iker Casillas making some crucial saves to make sure Spain didn't throw away their lead and ensure they stay in the tournament while captaining his side well as he always does.