Euro Cup 2012 Results – Spain 4 – 0 Ireland

The game starts as you would expect with spain on top and its not long before the first goal come with Fernando Torres scoring from yard out after to some good possession from spain just 4 minutes into the match.

There is a gulf between quality between the two sides and that evident from the first 15 minutes of play. Spain are knocking the ball around excellently and the Irish are struggling to handle the tempo and skill being exerted by the Spanish.

After the first 20 minutes Ireland finally look like they have woken up at they start to get more possession and look like they might be coming into the game a bit more now. Spain are still dominating but Ireland are playing better, Shay Given has played really well after conceding that goal making a number of saves.

The first half ends with the spanish in control and defending well but no real threats from either side as the game slowed towards the whistle signalling the close of play. The spanish have been the best team but seem to be lacking that cutting edge.

The second half begins like the first half with just three minutes in Spain scoring a goal, this time its David Silva who expertly strokes home the ball through a number of Irish players and teasingly past Shay Given. Silva picked up the ball from a Shay Given punch which in truth was really poor. Spain 2 – 0 up!

After the goal Ireland are a little quicker to respond hassling their spanish opponents, ..and wow what a save Xavi strikes towards goal with real venom and the save of the tournament so far has to go to Ireland Shay Given for that stop, pure reactions there.

Ireland can only keep the ball for seconds as whenever they get the ball they give it straight back to the spanish, their really struggling for possession out their. Nearing the 60 minute mark now and you have to say it looks like the end of the road for ireland, spain are in control of the game.

Irelands first real chance of the game comes around 65 minutes in with Ireland starting to have some possession as they test the spanish defence for the first time, Spain deal with the threat with relative ease, still 2 – 0.

Aiden McGeady looks the main threat from the left as Ireland start to get a few balls into the spanish penalty area. Spain break on the attack though and only a last ditch challenge prevents Torres from scoring his second goal of the game.

As Ireland tire spain nick possession of the ball on the half way line and Xavi puts in Torres who scored expertly whiles hes one on one with Given, the Irish keeper. The game is now well out of sight for Ireland as spain go further ahead – 3 – 0.

5 minutes later Robbie Keane produces a great save from Iker Casillas as he strikes powerfully from the left side of the pitch. 80 minutes in and both sides have made all three stages which has taken the speed out of the game. Things go from bad to worse against ireland as Fabregas, who came on for Torres, absolutely hammers one in from close range at an acute angle. Theres 5 minutes left of this game now but it looks like the Irish are ready for bed, they went to sleep for that goal and spain are in complete control.

The final part of the match is dominated by spain as the game finished at 4 – 0 to spain, Important to not that goal difference may play a factor for spain if they draw with Croatia, they’ve done that the world of good with this win.

The referee was Pedro Proenca of Portugal and he had a decent game, you could have seen a few more fouls on Irish players though.