22:00 EST 22 June 2012
Spain 1-0 France (7.45pm)
Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva (Pedro Rodriguez 65), Fabregas (Torres 67), Iniesta (Santi Cazorla 84).
Subs: Valdes, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran, Negredo, Mata, Llorente, Jesus Navas, Reina.
Goals: Xabi Alonso 19.
France: Lloris, Reveillere, Rami, Koscielny, Clichy, M’Vila (Giroud 79), Debuchy (Menez 64), Cabaye, Malouda (Nasri 65), Ribery, Benzema.
Subs: Mandanda, Evra, Valbuena, Matuidi, Diarra, Martin, Ben Arfa, Carrasso.
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
90min: PENALTY (SPAIN)
88min: There we go. Ribery wins a corner on the byline, but Nasri’s looped cross to the far post is headed wide by Adil Rami. You do wonder if the French know they are losing, they are really going out with a whimper.
87min: Oh come on France! You’re 1-0 down and going out of a major tournament, show some fight!
This game has all the pace, passion and urgency of a dead rubber group stage game.
84min: Iniesta makes way for Spain’s final change as the defence minded Santi Cazorla comes on.
82min: It’s been a while since we have seen Spain pass the ball forward but it nearly results in a goal as Fernando Torres beats the last line of defence to put himself one-on-one with Lloris. Only problem is he doesn’t beat the offside flag.
79min: A final switch from France as the seemingly Arsenal bound Olivier Giroud replaces M’Vila.
76min: It’s France still doing the majority of the attacking but they are still struggling to put the Spanish under pressure. Menez pushes over Jordi Alba inside the box and is booked for showing dissent straight after the foul.
74min: From OptaJoe:
5 – France have won more games from losing positions than any other team in the history of the European Championships. Chance.
71min: Half-chance but no more. Ribery manages to charge into a wide area inside the box but his low powerful cross is too hard for Casillas to catch first time. The keeper has to quickly react to gather the ball at the second attempt with Menez racing in.
69min: Once again Koscielny saves the French. Pedro Rodriguez leaves Reveillere trailing on the left, and his low byline cross is heading straight for Torres a couple of yards out before the Arsenal defender slides the ball behind for a corner.
68min: From OptaJoe:
17 – Spain have been ahead in 17 previous games at European Championships and have never lost (15 wins, two draws). Resolute.
67min: Wow, changes o’clock here. Now Fernando Torres comes on as a slightly dejected Fabregas makes way for Spain.
65min: Two changes from the French. One is a no-brainer as the hopeless Florent Malouda is replaced by Samir Nasri, while Jeremy Menez comes on for Debuchy.
For Spain, Pedro Rodriguez takes the place of Silva.
Denied: Lloris races off his line to deny Spain’s Cesc Fabregas
62min: Spain nearly hit a sucker-punch at the other end though as Fabregas is slipped through on goal by Xavi. But Lloris is quick off his line to intercept by diving low – top keeping that could have ended in French tears.
60min: And there it is! Ribery does well on the left to avoid a challenge from three Spanish defenders, before his cross is narrowly headed over by Debuchy. Good effort.
58min: You just sense France are gaining confidence here. Spain have lost most of their finesse from the first half but credit to France who have upped their game by getting into far more threatening positions down the flanks. Next up, a cross perhaps.
55min: It’s a work in progress as Ribery and France begin to see more of the ball. They still haven’t tested Casillas from open play but Spain have become more sloppy on the ball in recent minutes.
52min: Xabi Alonso only has eyes for goal today as he hits a strike with the outside of his right foot just wide of the post from 25 yards. Lloris had it covered however.
51min: From InfostradaLive:
The last goal in a knock-out match against Spain was scored by Zinedine Zidane in Hanover, 27 June 2006.
Since then, neither Italy (120 minutes) nor Russia (90), and Germany (90 + 90) nor Portugal (90), and Paraguay (90), and Holland (120) have been able to overthrow the Spanish goal in a knock-out match.
48min: France continue to chase shadows at the start of the half as Spain knock the ball around. Plenty of empty seats inside the ground and the atmosphere lacks for it.
This may as well be a glorified friendly judging by the lack of noise being generated.
Testing times: France boss Laurent Blanc (right) looks on during the first half
Second-half: No changes as Spain restart.
20.45: So far it’s only been a continuation of the other two quarter-finals- massively one-sided.
France are going to have to go for this at some point though, even Greece at least went down fighting against Germany.
20.40: From InfostradaLive:
The last time Spain failed to win a match despite scoring the opening goal was on 6 September 2006 in Euro qualifying: Northern Ireland – Spain 3-2.
20.35: The million euro question then. How on earth do France get into this game?
Spain are keeping the ball and making light work of this so much that you sense if Blanc’s side do surge forward they are going to be picked off.
No penalty: Play on was waved after Cesc Fabregas (left) and Gael Clichy clashed early in the game
Half-time: Spain 1-0 France
45min: Spain win a free-kick 35 yards out to the left, but Xavi’s inswinging delivery was only ever heading for the grateful arms of Lloris. One added minute.
42min: Cabaye is the first Frenchman booked after lunging in late on Busquets as Ribery puts on a new shirt at the touchline.
40min: Still Spain apply the pressure as Ribery sports a ripped shirt under the arm. It’s about the only thing France are tearing through so far.
38min: Top defending from Koscielny, as a neat Spain one-two sees Fabregas chip a lofted ball over the defence for Iniesta, before the Arsenal star slides the ball wide.
From the corner, Gerard Pique heads over unmarked. Big let-off for France.
Over and out: Karim Benzema fires a France free-kick off target
35min: Full credit to France who have kept their concentration to deny the Spanish any other opportunities, but outside of free-kicks they can not force an attack.
A few cynical fouls are creeping into their game as they become frustrated at Spain’s passing game.
32min: A better effort comes from Yohan Cabaye, as the Newcastle midfielder’s shot is heading for the top corner until Casillas tips over.
The Real Madrid keeper also collects the resulting corner.
31min: Another France free-kick 30 yards out as Sergio Ramos is booked for a foul on Benzema.
28min: Well that isn’t a good sign. A Mexican wave has started, which as history proves only begins when nothing is really going on.
26min: Chance for France as they win a free-kick 25 yards out, but Benzema blows it by firing way over the bar. Rubbish.
25min: And still it continues. France are still giving Arbeloa enormous space on the right flank but even he bites off more he can chew when he is flagged for offside. No excuse when he had the whole line to look across.
22min: But it won’t be yet and that’s mainly because Spain won’t give them the ball. The Spanish are well in control at the moment, denying Ribery any chance to create chances for the French.
Headmaster: Xabi Alonso’s cleaver header across goal opened the scoring for Spain
19min: GOAL! SPAIN 1-0 France
Now the game really starts! Jordi Alba escapes down the left flank and leaves Mathieu Debuchy on the floor as he skates to the byline.
His cross to the back post is perfect for an unmarked Xabi Alonso, who heads down across goal into the corner to leave Hugo Lloris with absolutely no chance. France have to come out and play now.
18min: A minor surge forward from France as Franck Ribery makes his way into the penalty box, but he is quickly tackled as Spain clear the eventual corner.
15min: From InfostradaLive:
Of the 62 opponents Spain have faced in competitive matches, there are only four they have failed to beat: France (1 draw and 5 losses), Uruguay (2 draws), Argentina (1 loss) and Nigeria (1 loss).
12min: Spain are attempting to attack the flanks, and more specifically the right.
But the French are refusing to stretch their compact 4-5-1 across the width of the pitch and are happy to let Alvaro Arbeloa have free reign on the wing. It’s working so far for the French who have made the central area of their half a no-go zone.
9min: Xabi Alonso looks back to his Liverpool days as he attempts to catch Hugo Lloris off his line with a long range lob, but no other action so far apart from pass, pass, pass etc.
6min: You’re not having that Cesc! Fabregas desperately appeals for a penalty after being brought down by Gael Clichy, but replays show the Barcelona midfielder simply collides with his ex-Arsenal team-mate.
3min: Pass, pass, pass, but what do you expect? Spain going at it early on but France have coped easy enough so far.
Fancy footwork: Spain’s David Silva (left) attempts to shake off a challenge from France’s Yann M’Vila
Kick-off: Away we go.
19.41: No signs of any split in either camp as the French and Spanish players make their way out in the Donbass Arena, linking arms around the shoulders for their respective anthems.
19.36: Final thought has to go with the French mental spirit.
Player/manager rifts infamously saw them crash and burn at Euro 2008 and the last World Cup.
And more internal rifts after the Sweden defeat has left a big question marks on whether the wheels are about to fall off the French wagon again. It’s starting to become a regular occurrence.
19.32: Italy showed how it was done by hitting the Spanish on the counter, but the big test will be how this new look France defence will cope with Xavi and friends.
Parking the bus seems to have worked in the last few months against wave-after-wave of attack.
19.29: Spain have continued with their famous tika-taka in this tournament but France also play a style of football where they like to play patient passing.
Don’t expect to see many long balls then but can France out-play Spain or will they need a Plan B?
19.24: And for different reasons, a big night for Karim Benzema.
The France striker has had the most shots without scoring in this tournament with 16, but to end on a positive note at least 12 have been on target – only Ronaldo has more with 14.
We are No. 1: French fans show their support before the game
19.21: Big night for Xabi Alonso as he wins his 100th cap. To this day I’m still puzzled as to why Liverpool let him go so easily.
19.16: See that statistic at 19.01? That was the last time Spain were knocked out of a major tournament.
It seems a long time ago now, but Spain were still considered big-stage flops back then.
Five of the Spanish squad that started the 3-1 loss to France at the 2006 World Cup also feature tonight.
Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Xabi Alonso all have old scores to settle.
19.11: A pretty tasty tie will be set-up no matter who wins this clash.
A first major triumph over France for Spain would of course set up an Iberian derby with Portugal in the semi-final.
If the French progress, then we are in for a rematch of the Euro 2000 semi-final, where Portugal didn’t just lose the game but their heads too.
19.06: There are some chin-scratching selections from Spanish boss Vicente Del Bosque too it must be said. Fernando Torres is dropped as Spain elect to go with the same strikerless system that failed to get the job done against Italy.
19.01: From OptaJoe:
25 – In their last 25 games at major tournaments, Spain have only once conceded more than a single goal; versus France in 2006 (1-3). Wary.
Finishing touches: Iker Casillas’ girlfriend and TV presenter Sara Carbonero takes a seat pitchside
18.58: Also making his Euro 2012 debut is Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny.
A quick stat-attack for you is that France have not lost in all 12 games Reveillere has played for his country.
18.55: Interesting sections from France boss Laurent Blanc. Anthony Reveillere makes his first tournament appearance at right-back, replacing Mathieu Debuchy who moves into right midfield. It looks like a double man-marking job on Andres Iniesta, but we will see.
18.50: If the first two quarter-finals were slightly predictable outcomes, then at least this one isn’t as clear cut.
I know France stumbled through Group D but Spain have hardly been on their A-game so far. They have only thumped a below par Republic of Ireland side, while Italy and Croatia did a comfortable job of containing the holders.
Croatia only lost because they had no choice but to throw everyone forward in the final moments – knowing anything less than a win would eliminate them from Euro 2012
How we Gunner pass the time? Former Arsenal team-mates Samir Nasri (left) and Cesc Fabregas chat before the game
18.45: Just to get you warmed up, here are some shot-tastic stats from our good friends at InfostradaLive:
Spain and France had the most shots in the group phase but Spain scored six goals (the most) and France three (the joint least).
In their last 13 matches at major tournaments (Euro & WC) #Spain have kept 10 clean sheets and conceded only 3 goals.
18.40: France starting XI:
Lloris, Debuchy, Rami, Reveillere, Koscielny, Clichy, Cabaye, Ribery, Malouda, M’Vila, Benzema.
18.35: Spain starting XI:
Casillas, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Arbeloa, Jordi Alba, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Busquets, Silva.
18.30: And to think this could have been England. While Roy Hodgson’s side face a difficult enough test against Italy tomorrow, I don’t think anybody would have preferred a quarter-final tie against the passing machine that is Spain.
That honour instead falls to France who after losing to Sweden will have to improve if they are to defeat the European champions tonight.
You wouldn’t put it past them though – team news on the way.
Up against it: France will be underdogs when they take on Spain in their quarter-final
from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/euro2012/article-2163306/Spain-v-France-live.html#ixzz1yePVz9YJ
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Xabi Alonso was born on November 25th, 1981 according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xabi_Alonso
November 25th, 1981
11 + 25 +1+9+8+1 = 55 = his lesson = Mind-blowing.
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comprehensive summary and list of predictions for 2012:
http://predictionsyear2012.com/
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https://www.createspace.com/3411561
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