Gunner Fires Spain to Final!!!
Man, this was one heck of a match!!! Both teams squaring off at Vienna, the site of the final, with great teams and players, this was electric!!!
Spain did not have history on their side. After 24 years they had made a semi final and they hadn’t won the Euro for 40 years!! The underachieving team had to bring out something good today as they were under a lot of pressure to reach the final.
On the other hand, Russia seemed relaxed. No one had expected them to reach so far. They had seen the likes of France, Portugal, Holland and Italy crumble before them. Their young squad were on fire at the moment, and their coach was a brilliant thinker and had completely reformed the team.
Both teams started well, passing and strolling. But the pitch was in a bad shape as at the same time there was a cloud burst and the players were playing amid thunder and lightning. Despite that, Spain had the first chance when Villa passed to Torres, who had his back turned to the goal, and through excellent footwork had his shot, but it was stopped by Akintaen.
The referee was cool and calm, and taking the conditions to consideration, kept the cards in his pocket. Both teams played well, creating chances, one after the other. A Villa free kick saw a stop by the GK and he stubbed his toe on the pitch.
In 30’, a beautiful curling kick by Pavlyuchenko saw it hit the post after a crucial touch by Casillas. In 33’, Villa limped off, injuring his foot, and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas came in. In this half we could see Sergio Ramos dancing in and out of the right wing, making crucial passes and at the same time, defending amazingly, taking the ball away from the Russians.
Thus the match reached half time. We had to see whether the break would do the players good or bad. The rain was receding and the pitch was drying up. That meant that the ball would not skid as it had done in the 1st half.
And we were right; the second half was very interesting. Spain started attacking. Fabregas passed to Iniesta who ran into the box and then out of it to find some room and kicked towards the goal hard, only for Xavi to leap out and the ball to hit his leg to go under the goalkeeper to give Spain the lead.
After this, Spain started attacking incessantly, gaining confidence all the time. Ramos and Puyol were the backbones of the defence, along with Marchena, as they stole the ball a
gain and again from the Russians. They marked Pavlyuchenko and Arshavin, and these two ace players became as tame as cats.Shortly, Aragones made a double switch Guiza for Torres, and Xabi Alonso for Xavi. Alonso had an immediate impact on the game, kicking a long ball but it found Akintaen’s hands.
The Spanish kept on moving forward, and Fabregas played a huge role in this, spurring them to greater heights. The Russians lost the ball again and again, but they were giving in without a fight.
Only then came a moment of brilliance. David Silva was strolling on the right wing. Looking for space across the Russian wall, and passed to Fabregas. The Arsenal Midfielder showed his talent by delicately touching the ball over the entire wall to an unmarked Guiza, who beat the offside trap, just to nudge the ball in the opposite direction of a diving Akintaen. This second goal was in the 73rd minute.
Spain, having defeated Russia in a huge manner, were doing it again. They passed beautifully, defeating the defence. The Russians incompetence was showing, as huge gaps started appearing in the mid field, and Spain made it look as though they were strolling in the garden.
But Spain was not finished. In the 82’, a triangle of Iniesta, Senna and Capdevila passed to each other in their own half to dispatch Zhirkov, and Iniesta chipped to a sprinting Fabregas in front of him, who ran all the way to the goal. The talented midfielder showed his team spirit and commitment by not taking the shot for himself, but by passing to unmarked Silva off the left wing. Silva, an amazing left footer, then made a clinical finish to increase the lead to 3-0.
In the 88’, a free kick from Zhirkov to Sychev who headed it towards goal and it seemed that Russia would net a consolation, but Casillas leaped to make an amazing save. That was the last chance as Spain beat Russia 3-0.
Russia looked defeated and tired but WE APPLAUD THEIR SPIRIT AND CONGRATULE THEM FOR REACHING THE SEMIS!!!
A worrying news though, for Spanish fans. David Villa, who had injured his foot, may not be able to play for Sunday’s final, as the reports say. HOPE NOT!!!
Congrats Spain!!!!!!!!!!
Highlights!! Compiled by blizzard!!
Xavi, 50th minute, 0-1
Guiza, 73rd minute, 0-2
Silva, 82nd minute, 0-3 + Match Highlights
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