Group Elimination C: Thursday, 14 June 2012 - Gdansk - PGE Arena

The “Red Fury” meets the “Boys in Green” on June 14 at the PGE Arena in Gdansk

Spain

After the 1-1 draw with Italy last Sunday, reigning champions Spain needs a knockout. Nevertheless, Spain is the overwhelming favourite. Both Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup champions, the “Red Fury” has proven to be an adversary that’s not to be dealt lightly with. Plus, with a group of hardened veterans, it’s hard to beat a team with experience on their shoulders.

But there is a downside to the fact that their players have played more matches than any other players or teams in the world, the risk of fatigue is a problem and age is another which already sapped the Spaniards of some of their best players.

Ireland

There’s really not much to say about the “Boys in Green” except for the fact that coach Giovanni Trapattoni has a huge task at hand to revive the team after being annihilated early on by the Croatians. But the Irish has proven to be a team full of resilience in the past and who is to say that these boys don’t stand a chance.

The Irish defence needs a lot of improvement. The attack lacks force as well with Kevin Doyle and Aiden McGeady being close to invisible during their crushing game with the Croatians. Trapattoni needs to revitalise the nearly crushed Irish squad as soon as possible as their biggest Euro 2012 challenge is near.

Predictions: Spain wins 3-0

Spaniards are likely to have a better day considering their desperation to turn around their fortunes and successfully defend their crown. Ireland’s trouble defence and weak attack has already been exploited so the “Red Fury” is sure to have a better day in Gdansk on June 12.

Euro 2012 Highlights: Spain Eliminates Ireland 4-0

Spain finished off Ireland in a fashionable beating defeating the Irish 4-0 to eliminate them from the tournament. Spain dominated from start to finish by taking 20 shots on goal to Ireland's four; They controlled their passions for most of the game using 66 percent of play "La Roja" produced 859 passes in the entire match.

More importantly, the victory saw the reawakening of a disappointing sleeping giant on the Spanish side. Striker Fernando Torres was once the wunderkind of Spanish soccer. He scored the three goals in the 2006 World Cup and gave Spain the game winner in the 2008 Euro Championship game against Germany. From 2001-2007 he scored 82 goals in 214 appearances for the Atletico Madrid and from 2007-2011 he scored 65 goals in 102 appearances for Liverpool. Going into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, expectations were at their highest for Torres who was expected to have a dominating tournament. However, it was not meant to be as Torres underwent knee surgery in April 2010. He got a chance to play in the World Cup in June, but scored no goals in the entire tournament. His ensuing seasons with his new club Chelsea were even worse as the superstar only scored seven goals in 46 games for the team

Fabregas got the start against Italy in the first game and rewarded Spain with the lone goal in that game. However, he wound up on the bench to start the game, a spot where he was most seen during Spain's last few major tournaments. His inability to crack the lineup consistently is not a result of inconsistency or lack of talent; it is more a testament to the wealth of talent throughout the lineup. Fabregas specializes as a distributer rather than a striker, but with Xavi and David Silva currently occupying those roles splendidly, Fabregas has been relegated to the striker position. After the De Facto Striker David Villa went down with injury prior to the tournament, it seemed like Fabregas might get his chance. However, with the emergence of Torres, that window of opportunity may have gotten a bit smaller.

With the +4 goal differential and four points, Spain takes first place in Group C. With Croatia and Italy drawing 1-1 earlier in the day, Croatia also gains four points, but only has a +2 goal differential. Since three points is the maximum Ireland can get with a win over Italy on Sunday, the Irish must start packing their bags and getting their boarding passes ready to return home. They are the first team eliminated from the tournament. In order for Italy to pass on to the Quarter Finals, the Italians must defeat the Irish and hope that either Spain or Croatia wins. A tie between Spain and Croatia would force Italy to win by at least three goals or more.

EURO 2012: Spain vs Ireland Timeline

• 90+3' - The whistle has gone to end the second half. The match finishes 4-0.
• 90' - 3 minutes will be added to the Second half.
• 90' - Pedro Proenca blows against Spain's David Silva for offside.
• 85' - In Gdansk Cesc Fabregas for Spain takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 84' - Sean St. Ledger for Ireland has been booked by Pedro Proenca and receives a first yellow card.
• 83' - Great play from David Silva to set up the goal.
• 83' - Goal! Spain extend their lead to 4-0 through Cesc Fabregas.
• 83' - Spain have been awarded a corner by Pedro Proenca. David Silva steps up to take it.
• 82' - Spain's Santi Cazorla gets in a shot on goal at PGE Arena Gdansk. But the effort is unsuccessful.
• 80' - Giovanni Trapattoni (Ireland) is making a Third substitution, with Paul Green replacing Glenn Whelan.
• 80' - Vicente del Bosque is making the team's Third substitution at PGE Arena Gdansk with Santi Cazorla replacing Andres Iniesta.
• 79' - Javier Martinez of Spain is pulled up for offside.
• 78' - Spain are pushing forward but Xavi's finish is wide of the goal.
• 76' - Ireland make their Second substitution with James McClean replacing Damien Duff.
• 76' - Javier Martinez (Spain) has been booked and must now be careful not to get a second yellow card.
• 75' - In Gdansk Ireland drive forward through Robbie Keane. His shot is on target but it's saved.
• 74' - Cesc Fabregas is replacing Fernando Torres for Spain at PGE Arena Gdansk.
• 70' - David Silva with an assist there.
• 70' - Spain take a comfortable 3-0 lead thanks to Fernando Torres.
• 67' - Corner awarded to Ireland.
• 65' - Vicente del Bosque (Spain) is making a First substitution, with Javier Martinez replacing Xabi Alonso.
• 64' - In Gdansk, Aiden McGeady of Ireland is presented with a shooting opportunity. But the strike is blocked by the covering defence.
• 62' - Spain's Sergio Busquets breaks free at PGE Arena Gdansk. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 62' - Fernando Torres (Spain) gets in a strike but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 62' - At PGE Arena Gdansk Xavi (Spain) takes a corner from the Left.
• 59' - Keith Andrews for Ireland is back on the field again.
• 59' - Play is underway once more.
• 59' - Attention is being given to Ireland’s Keith Andrews and play has been suspended briefly.
• 58' - Fernando Torres for Spain is whistled offside.
• 57' - Xavi (Spain) goes for goal but the shot is blocked by an alert defence.
• 55' - Xavi of Spain smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 54' - Xabi Alonso (Spain) has received a first yellow card.
• 49' - Goal! David Silva extends Spain's lead to 2-0.
• 49' - Andres Iniesta gets his shot on target but fails to score for Spain.
• 49' - Xabi Alonso (Spain) is given an opening but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 48' - Spain drive forward and Alvaro Arbeloa gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
• 46' - Jonathan Walters is on a sub for Simon Cox for Ireland.
• 46' - The second-half has started.
• 45+1' - The first-half has ended.
• 45+1' - Spain's Andres Iniesta is on target but unsuccessful.
• 45+1' - Glenn Whelan (Ireland) has received a yellow card from Pedro Proenca.
• 45' - Robbie Keane (Ireland) goes for goal but the shot is blocked by an alert defence.
• 45' - Xabi Alonso of Spain gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 44' - Pedro Proenca has awarded Spain a corner. Xavi takes the kick from the Left .
• 44' - Spain push forward at PGE Arena Gdansk and Xavi gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Ireland defence.
• 44' - Alvaro Arbeloa of Spain smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 42' - Spain push forward through Xavi, whose finish on goal is saved.
• 41' - Important block from the Ireland defence as Andres Iniesta fires in a strike for Spain.
• 36' - Ireland's Robbie Keane has been booked in Gdansk.
• 35' - Pedro Proenca has awarded Spain a corner. Xavi takes the kick from the Right .
• 35' - Fernando Torres for Spain drives towards goal at PGE Arena Gdansk. But the finish is unsuccessful.
• 30' - In Gdansk Spain's Fernando Torres is caught offside.
• 29' - Spain drive forward but Alvaro Arbeloa is judged offside.
• 28' - Ireland's Aiden McGeady is back in action after a slight knock.
• 26' - Gerard Pique's header is off-target for Spain.
• 26' - At PGE Arena Gdansk Xavi (Spain) takes a corner from the Right.
• 26' - Spain's Xabi Alonso gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 26' - In Gdansk Xavi for Spain takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 26' - Play has been resumed.
• 25' - Play has been interrupted briefly in Gdansk to check on Aiden McGeady, who is grimacing with pain.
• 25' - David Silva (Spain) gets in a strike but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 23' - Andres Iniesta for Spain drives towards goal at PGE Arena Gdansk. But the finish is unsuccessful.
• 22' - Ireland's Robbie Keane is whistled for offside at PGE Arena Gdansk.
• 17' - Spain's Gerard Pique gets in a shot on goal at PGE Arena Gdansk. But the effort is unsuccessful.
• 16' - Spain have been awarded a corner by Pedro Proenca. Xavi steps up to take it.
• 12' - Spain's Fernando Torres has run offside.
• 9' - Ireland surge into the attack at PGE Arena Gdansk but Richard Dunne’s header is off-target.
• 9' - Corner awarded to Ireland.
• 9' - Ireland drive upfield and Keith Andrews gets in a shot. The strike is blocked by a Spain defender.
• 8' - Spain are coming forward and Fernando Torres gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 7' - In Gdansk Spain drive forward through David Silva. His shot is on target but it's saved.
• 4' - Goal! Fernando Torres gives Spain a 1-0 lead.
• 2' - Simon Cox gets his shot on target but fails to score for Ireland.
• 1' - The match has started at PGE Arena Gdansk.

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