Euro 2008: Spain 2-1 Sweden (Match Report and Video)
Both teams went in to this game knowing that a win would qualify them for the knock out stages, after both teams won their initial game. Spain were expected to win after convincingly beating Russia by four goals to one in their fist game, where as Sweden played an extremely boring game with Greece and won by luck by two goals to nil.
As expected, Spain took control of the game. The Swedes tried to counter, but didn’t get very far, and Spain looked very likely to score. And they did just that. A short corner caught Sweden out, as the ball reached Silva, who played a little chip into the box for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to sneak in front of his marker and prod the ball home with his outstretched foot.
It looked like Sweden were going to do exactly what the Netherlands did last night, with an attack straight from the kick off leading to a shot which so nearly snuck in at Iker Casillas’ near post.
Then Sweden scored. Ibrahomavic turned neatly away from a sliding tackle, before neatly slotting the ball into the goal, although Casillas really should have saved it, the ball literally trickled over the line. Suddenly both teams looked very energetic and Spain should have had a penalty in stoppage time when Silva was clattered from behind the ball had even reached him! The Spanish players were understandably infuriated, but they managed to cool their anger until half time so that they didn’t get booked.
In the second half Sweden dominated for most of the time, but after sixty minutes Spain got three fantastic opportunities in under a minute as Isaksson saved and defenders blocked oncoming shots.
Then, in stoppage time David Villa scored a goal to put Spain in front, when a ball was playing in the box, Villa neatly converted it giving the Manchester City and Swedish goal keeper no chance of stopping it.
Altogether a good game, and Spain are now through to the quarter finals. They maybe could have done more, but will be pleased with the win. Now Russia, Greece and Sweden will all have to fight it out for that crucial second place.
Final Score:
Spain 2 – 1 Sweden
Watch the GOALS:
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Comments June 15th, 2008
All Arsenal fans already know the story, Flamini takes Gilberto place, Gilberto looks for an out, Gilberto finds destination. The guy wants to go to Juventus, so if he said it so clearly like that, then it is already done. Juventus were expected also to sign a top class midfielder. I like Gilberto’s style but Wenger has my full trust as usual, in addition the player is 31 years of age. So I guess this move will give Diarra the chance he always wanted.