It has taken 88 years for Spain to beat Italy in a competitive match and most
of them appeared to pass before our eyes as the two nations played out a
desperately disappointing quarter-final, enlivened only by the drama of a
penalty shoot-out. It was won by Spain with the winning kick coming from
Cesc Fàbregas, of Arsenal, a second-half substitute, after Daniele De Rossi
and Antonio Di Natale had failed for Italy.
Penalties are a rotten way to decide any match, least of all one as
significant as this, but for these teams we can make an exception. Frankly,
they deserved little else. Luca Toni, Italy’s striker, did not even step up,
which tells all you need to know.
So kudos to Fàbregas for holding his nerve, and to Iker Casillas, in Spain’s
goal, for saving twice. The more ambitious team won, which is good, but this
game served only one useful purpose, which was to remind us what a fine
tournament this has been until now. If we were beginning to take the lovely,
attacking football, and the fascinating narrative for granted, we apologise.
Italy and Spain demonstrated what international football can be like: a
dull, lifeless bore between two teams lacking in nerve and ambition. Some
clever dicks may attempt to convince you that this was a fascinating
tactical encounter and one for the purists, but do not be fooled.
Portugal against Germany was a fascinating tactical contest and so was Holland
against Russia. This was a load of old rubbish and by far the poorest game
of the tournament considering what was at stake and the talent on display.
Here were two of the strongest teams in Europe, with combined professional
talent that could be counted in the hundreds of millions, and they failed to
achieve the basic point of the game for two hours. Any 0-0 draw is, by
definition, a failure but on occasions there will be a team that is suited
by the result. As both sets of players here had to win to progress, there is
no mitigation for a contest as ordinary as this. They should have done
better; it is as simple as that.
The strangest sight outside the Ernst Happel Stadion was groups of touts
unable to sell spare tickets for the match, even at face value. This was,
after all, the most eagerly anticipated of the quarter-finals, so to see
blocks of empty seats at the Italian end was perplexing. Maybe the Azzurri
loyalists had been wrong-footed by the world champions’ second-placed finish
at the group stage; perhaps they were wandering forlorn around Basle where
Holland, the group C winners, played on Saturday night. Let us hope they at
least swallowed their pride and went to that match. They would have got a
better night’s entertainment than anyone did here.
One of the hottest tickets in Vienna right now is for the Mel Brooks musical The
Producers at the Ronacher Theatre and this game was very much like the
line from Opening Night, the show’s first number. “We wanted to stand
up and hiss,” one group of disgruntled theatregoers sings. “We’ve seen shit,
but never like this,” another replies. Certainly the neutrals in the stadium
could have been forgiven for echoing those sentiments. This competition has,
with few exceptions such as the odd dead rubber and France against Romania,
been uniformly excellent and drawn unanimously rave reviews. Different here,
though, with both teams getting brickbats as they trooped off on four
separate occasions, including extra time. Cagey, ragged, negative, with
scant goalmouth action and more than a few attempts to con the referee,
Herbert Fandel of Germany, it was the sort of game Euro 2008 has, so far,
avoided.
For example, in the 71st minute, David Villa, the Spain striker now attracting
so much Premier League chatter, attempted the most blatant penalty area dive
of the tournament, earning a booking. Earlier, David Silva, Spain’s exciting
wide midfield player, who has been key to so much of their best work at this
tournament, had his foot caught by Fabio Grosso, the Italy full back, on the
edge of the penalty area. It may have been a foul but so spectacular was
Silva’s fall, rolling around and clutching his leg to imply the tackle had
been high as well as mistimed, that Fandel showed only irritation and waved
play on.
That the game went to a shoot-out is no shock because it was heading that way
from the start. Italy, shorn of the suspended Andrea Pirlo’s creation in
midfield, set out to win on the counter-attack with stout defence, but
lacked the wit to carry off even that unambitious plan. Spain’s passing game
simply failed them. Fabio Capello, the England manager, said that Luis
Aragonés, the Spain coach, had the best midfield at the tournament, but it
looked far from that here. Russia, against Holland, were in a different
class, and there will be no repeat of the 4-1 scoreline that separated the
teams in the first group game unless Spain improve. How ridiculous that the
teams should have to meet again before the final anyway, but that is Uefa
for you. It is one thing not being able to organise a jolly-up in a brewery,
but one would hope that a football tournament in Europe would have been
within its scope.
For pedants, a brief recap of the action over two hours would, for Italy, take
in a header by Simone Perrotta that was easily saved, another from Toni that
was blocked, a goalmouth scramble that ended with Casillas’s best stop in
open play from Mauro Camoranesi and an extra-time header from Di Natale that
was tipped over. For Spain, there was a Villa free kick saved, two shots
from Silva that went close - one stopped, the other wide - and two efforts
by Marcos Senna that caused problems for Gianluigi Buffon, in Italy’s goal,
the second squirming from his hands on to a post.
In extra time, Silva and Santi Carzola came close, but edited highlights would
not amount to the length of a Tom and Jerry cartoon, although those cat and
mouse games had considerably greater entertainment value.
How they rated
Spain (4-4-2): I Casillas 8, Sergio Ramos 6, C Puyol 6, C Marchena 7, J
Capdevila 6, A Iniesta Y 4, M Senna 7, Xavi Hernández 4, D Silva 7, D Villa
Y 6, F Torres 5. Substitutes: S Cazorla 5 Y (for Iniesta, 59min), F
Fàbregas 5 (for Xavi, 60), D Güiza 5 (for Torres, 85).
Italy (4-1-4-1): G Buffon 5, G Zambrotta 7, C Panucci 8, G Chiellini 8,
F Grosso 6, D De Rossi 7, A Aquilani 7, M Ambrosini Y 6, S Perrotta 5, A
Cassano 5, L Toni 4. Substitutes: M Camoranesi 6 (for Perrotta,
58min), A Di Natale 5 (for Cassano, 75), A Del Piero (for Aquilani, 108).
Referee: H Fandel
Attendance: 48,000
Can anybody answer me i am a fan of spain and i wanted to know the time in GMT spain will play against germany
thank you for reading it
shatha, sharjah, UAE
I agree with Jimminy - the Russians looked stellar because they were allowed to play - poor Dutch ball control. This game may not have been replete with goals, but it was the most aesthetically pleasing of the quarters. I do, however, think that both teams are capable of much more.
Adrienne, Nassau, Bahamas
I was at this match and no-one around me appeared to be bored or thinking it was 'a load of old rubbish'. Yes, we would have preferred some goals and a bit more risk-taking but it was still an absorbing contest. To say it was the worst game of Euro 2008 is doing Croatia-Turkey a disservice...
Penny, London, UK
This game was hardly different to the all English final in moscow. Yet Mr Samuel will tell you Chelsea vs United was the best game this decade.
He's Jealous because England aren't there, he's bitter because he doesn't have the chance to tell you Rooney is the key to England's success.
Daniel , Manchester,
So may people don't like Italy and say a lot of absurdities about Italy, because Italy win so much and are Wolrd Champions. As for England, hope Capello can help you win something. Otherwiese, all you can do is to try with witchcraft. Good luck
Marco Milano Italia
Marco, Milan, Italy
Well, dear Martin Samuel, the game doesn't have too much quality, two big teams was playing to win the eurocup, but have a lot of emotion and was very interesting. We're talkin about semifinals! You want to see the best football of Eurocup? See Spain-Russia. Maybe you learn something.
Jules, Spain, Las Palmas
Mr. Samuel, you must be of Italian descent. I don't have a clue what game you were watching tonight. I watched a game in which one team (Spain) played their socks off trying to win and another team (Italy) that cynically sat back for 120 minutes and did nothing but wait for the PKs. Did you miss it?
Mike, Columbia, SC, USA
Did you ever play football?
In 71st minute Villa fell down because he was just exhausted. He was just not trying to fool the referee.
About Silva having his foot caught, you should try one of those football boots. They just *hurt*.
The match was beautiful, tense and tactical. Congrats to Spain!!!
Andres Gomez, Leon, Spain
Everyone think that the soccer played in their own countries is the best in the world. So Mr. Samuel did. Anyway, Spain played a better game than Italy, but not that better. The Italian defenders and Buffon played very well. And in soccer, despite what Spaniards think, a good defence is important.
Marco, Pescara, Italy
Well done Spain! Fully deserved victory over my team. Italy never put anything together the whole tournament. A team without an identity. They showed nothing, nada, niente that made them World Cahmpions.Lacking in all areas.
I hope the federation looks into changing coaches as Donadoni has no clue
ross, toronto, canada
The writing is on the wall. We cheered our heads off and we will again when Spain wins the cup.
Brian Deller, Marbella, Spain
congratulations to spain - as of the times article , perhaps mr samuel prefers losing in a spectacular game than striving to win...well england's performances through the years sure made him happy!
lello villani, croydon, uk
Spain has still not beat Italy in 88 years. Yesterday's game is a draw according to statistics.
John, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
I hope english journalists do not cheat you. It was an exciting, fighting good match between a pair of historical opponents, but unfortunately without any goal
Mario, Rome, Italy
Spain played soccer, Italy anti soccer.
We Spaniards do play with midfield and keep possesion, we do not raffle the ball, like Italians or some British teams.
We suffer when do not ave the football, so... We play football. Spain, one game at a time.
Manuel, Palm Desert, California, USA
Well, even though we are Italian, we think that the match was bad.The article was too rigid, anyway. Italy played bad, Spain too. But you have to remember this: Cannavaro was out. Pirlo and Gattuso, too. We think they would have done the difference.
Anna e Aurora, Mazara Del Vallo, Italy
I do not agree with the author's opinion about the match Italy-Spain. I think it was a match like another, maybe not so amazing, but a beautiful match. The two teams were very scared to lose, so they did not attack each other so much. Personally, I enjoyed the match because it was a fighted match.
luigi & dario & company, Mazara, sicily, Italy
I read the article and I agree with the writer. the match was really boring and italy's performance wasn't better than spain's performace. italy made a lot of mistakes during the match, and it really seemed a Tom & Jerry cartoon. But at least italy arrived to the quarter-final. We are proud of it!
Maddalena Iannazzo, Mazara del vallo, italy
You say: "and there will be no repeat of the 4-1 scoreline that separated the teams in the first group game unless Spain improve." If the refereeing improves, and the assistant refs make some decisions, Spain will walk it. Any decent ref would have given at least two penalties or free kicks.
pete thompson, Rapagnano, ITALY
I Agree with you, you are right. I had to fill my boredom with the brand new soccer game, trying to feel better looking at my scores (as Italy) against Spain, it was such a pathetic situation. Bye Euro 2008!
Joseph, Ikaac, Patagonia
90 minutes of rubbish...I'm italian but I admit that the article says the truth.
I agree with the author because Italy and also spain have played very bad, Italy played bad because they were afraid to fail and so they played a very boring match.
Spain played bad because they have been unfair. bye
Irene & Marco, mazara del vallo, italy
Goodmorning, I have to say that I completely agree with this article as concerns the fact that the Italy's team didn't play well and for the reason that all the match was very boring...
Instead I don't agree with the comparison with Tom and Gerry...they are my favourite cartoon...
graziella, mazara del vallo, italia
One of the most qualified trainer in the world is, perhaps, Fabio Capello. It is for this reason that the Italian Federation hired Donadoni! (A complete incompetent)...I'm happy that Italy lost this game! Italy, with is shameful PM, deserves this!
pier , York,
Hi there, very nice article, specially if you're english. Being spanish and sending Italy out of the championship on penalties it simply great. When you play against Italy, nothing is to do with football. We are sick of playing the beautiful game while Italy won trophies playing rubbish.
paco molina, denia, España
Well, Matin, I have no idea what game you were watching. The Spain-Italy game was a solid soccer game with Spain fighting to break Italy´s stingy 10-man defence soccer. Then you argue Cesc was Spain´s best player when he didnt do jack during the game, just non-sensical.
Rigatoni, Tivoli,
Jose in Getxo, Spain - Fangio was italian, while Michael Schumacher isn't British. Hamilton has a long way to go before he is considered equal to them.
John, Knutsford, UK
Forgetting of course, that the Russians looked good because they were allowed to play, the Dutch defense hung off, gave them space and allowed them to run at them. Given the opportunity, they did so brilliantly.
No way would they they have been able to produce such football against the Italians
Jimminy, Amsterdam, Netherlands
I hope that Mister Simon has been equal of critic with the "nice" game played by the English National Team along this year. Allow me to doubt it.
At least you still have the best pilot of the history of the F1
jose, Getxo, Spain
I don't think that Spain has really played better than Italy. And i can't agree that it was a dull and lifeless game. In some ways i can't understand Donadoni: he hasn't taken Filippo Inzagi to the Euro, he hasn't given a chance to Del Piero.
Gregory, Moscow, Russia
Martin Samuel failed to report about a clear penalty commited over Villa in the first half, a few minutes before the fault on the edge of the Italians' penalty area. In addition, "the most blatant penalty area dive of the tournament" was a clear foot slipping by David Villa, not a cheating attempt.
Igor, Pamplona, Spain
And why has he used Toni so much? He was so unlucky at this tournament. I was very disappointed that Italy didn"t win, because i'm a fan of Italian team, but i'm a fan of Russian team too and i suppose that for our team it will be easier to play this Spain.
Gregory, Moscow, Russia
David Villa clearly fell, didn't take a dive.I don't know how much did it hurt that step in the foot, but it looked pretty bad for me,Di Natale on the other hand ...
You forgot to mention a penalty committed against Spain,I think that is important.
I also don't understand why Italy played in white
AJR, T.O.,
I thought I was alone in thinking it strange that the way the draw works made it almost inevitable that some teams were going to end up playing each other twice before the final. That is so easily avoided it makes you wonder why "all-knowing" Uefa let it pan out like that...
Phil, London,
Maybe it wasn’t the best match, but this article is so insulting. Spanish players are too young and I think that they were afraid, this team was Italy. But Spain play better and deserved to win.After quarters,Spain humiliate Russia,maybe they grow up with team less famous.VIVA ESPAÑA!!
Laura, Burgos, Spain
This game was always going to be tight. Therefore - no surprise. Personally, I am delighted that the Spanish won - it is time that their attractive technically exquisite football was rewarded. Sorry but England are not in the same league and don't come anywhere near these guys.
Patrick, Leicester, England
I know that wasnt the best game in history, but its really difficult to make an spectacular game against a team which only defend... by the way Spain won and Russia is waiting for us!!
Borja, La Laguna, Spain
How was that boring? What i find really boring is the usual comments on how Italy was. Why, was Spain any better? So why didnt they manage to actually score? Bad luck? I dont think so...It's just easy to comment badly on Italy, that's all. And btw, we ARE 06 WC, will u please get over it already?
Ely, Milan,
As some people below have noticed,Villa didnt dive,he slipped. Also Spain did try and play football but were against a country that have over the years perfected the art(?) of stifling the other team,playing for penalties,trying to sneak a goal and then defending deep.Not a good article.
Amit, London,
"Italy and Spain demonstrated what international football can be like: a dull, lifeless bore between two teams lacking in nerve and ambition." is TOTALLY incorrect. Last nights game was dull, and lifeless because of the terrible way Italy play! The only team playing football last night was Spain
Rafael, Hong Kong, China
Please can SOMEONE tell me why Italy played in their away strip? Their home "azzuri" is nothing like Spain's red shirts and dark navy shorts and socks so there would have been no clash. Am I the only one who cares about this? Should I get out more? Thanks,
Nigel Hammond, Brighton,
holy cow... while I totally concede that Italy's performance was awful, I can scarcely believe my eyes: do ANY of the spaniards really think their team played a good game? Really??
National pride is a good hallucinogenic, it seems...
Play like this again and the Russians will mince you...
Pietro B, SP, Italy
I think Martin Samuel was a bit harsh on Spain - at least they tried to play and attack Italy. It would have been a travesty if Italy had won. To be honest Itlay have been playing such negative football for a few years now!
Ben, London, England
Italy, the Bolton Wanderers of International Football!
I'm delighted Spain won.
John, Drogheda, Ireland
It was very boring. But personally I'm going lay the blame entirely at the feet of the Italians, one; because they didn't really deserve to get through to this stage, two; because I like spain and three; it was the italians fault I was so bored for 120 minutes last night. Justice was done.
Steve, Norwich,
Martin, just two points. 1.-"The most blatant penalty area dive of the tournament" was nothing but a non-deliverate foot slip. You'd better use spectables. 2.- You missed to mention the clear penalty on Villa of the first half.
Igor, Pamplona, Spain
Italy: World Champions AND European Champions of BORING play. It no surpirse that people remember the Holland team of the 70s, the Brasil team of 02, the French team of 98...but nobody remember the teams with whom Italy won 3 world cups...that speaks volume of the quality of play they showed...
Chris , London,
The writer just does not know how Italy plays and how difficult is to counteract it. Add some old-fashioned preconceptions against Spain (and the Spanish) and the result is ready to be published.
Igor, San Sebastián, España
5 for Fabegras is a joke! please revise that, was clearly the most influential player in the spanish team. You got that one wrong matey!
Sly, London,
I saw the second half - Spain were trying to score, the Italians for penalties.
Why has nobody mentioned di Natale getting back on to the pitch to stop play when injured. That was absolutely disgraceful.
Spain have played consistently well and positively throughout.
good luck
¡Podemos!
simon, valencia,
Completely agree, Martin. Worst match seen so far. Italy was only worried to make Spanish midfield harmless (and surely succeeded), whilst was unable to build any decent attack. Substitutes of Pirlo and Gattuso were not up to the task. Spain deserved, though I counted only one save by Buffon
Otto, Cosenza, Italy
Shame on us!
worst national team since ages......
no ideas, no schemes, no fit players....
Donadoni should be fired right now.
We had just 1 scheme: cross for Toni.
How is it possible?
We deserve to go home.
Hope Lippi will be back soon......
Gianluca, Rome, Italy
Congrats Martin on working The Producers into a match report...when you've got it baby..flaunt it!
ian, Wokingham, england
Spain has a good team but to play the final they must win russians and another team, anyway 6th July all to Pamplona, SAN FERMIN !!!
Txus, Zuraide, Basque Country (EH)
It seems quite easy to judge when simply you was not good enough to qualify. You should show a little bit more respect for the current world champions and the ones who beat them yesterday.
javi, asturias, spain
It was indeed a very dissapointing game. But I have to say that this article was also very and annoying. Negetivity should have a limit. Villa didn't dive in the penalty area, he slipped and never asked for it. Does the writer know, how much it pains, when a person gets stepped on foot, like Silva?
Asif, MK,
Totally agree. I went to bed after 70 minutes, knowing it would a) go to extra time b) remain nil - nil and c) go to penalties. My Samuel is however being a bit harsh on the Spanish, who were at least trying to attack the 10 man Italian defence.
Nick, London,
"Luca Toni, Italy’s striker, did not even step up", Martin, I think you're a great writer but sometimes you say very silly things with little or no thought put into them. Who are you to say he wasn't put down for the last Italian kick. First and last penalties are usually given to the best takers..
Kutawa Chamunda, Johannesburg, South Africa
At least Spain won: they made an effort. They do need, however, a refresher course in finishing! The match was a neutral's bore. No advert for football which can, on occasion, be entertaining. Player ratings are subjective, but to give Fabregas a '5' is more than harsh.
Ron McB, Ballynahinch, UK
To my mind it was a very boring match and, mostly, because of our players' attitude to the match. Only 3 goals in four matches (none of them by our forward players) explain it.
Russia vs Spain will be a better chance to see a spectacular match.
Luca, Milano, Italy
Do not agree at all that Villa dived on purpose....his yellow card was not deserved. He slipped, vdo footage shows that quite clearly, and he did not claim a penalty, which shows the Ref was wrong in giving him the yellow card.
Alex, Algeciras, Spain
I totally agree with you! I have been watching the match with some friends and was bored to death, I don't understand what the hell Donadoni had in mind. The worst Italian team since a lot of time! So we deserved to be out. I only wonder how Spain did manage NOT to score in 120 min.! Now Russia....
Linda, Bo, Italy
Good point about the absurdity of teams from the same group meeting each other again in the semis, as if there were two mini tournaments being held simultaneously. What a bunch of blockheads Uefa are.
Marcus, Madrid,
Looks like Mr Samuel was watching a different game altogether, just like the ref... Our boys made us proud. Iker is a national hero and both Senna and Cesc did great. PODEMOS!!!
Aida, Bilbao, Spain
"I believe indeed that the writer has not watched the same match!!! Spain fought hard and put Italy in the "tightrope" nearly all the match! "
Italy wasn't even running for getting the ball! And you didn't score... That's it. Not better than we were. I hope you gear up for Russia! Good luck :-)
Linda, Bo, Italy
Why is it that England play so badly and boringly, but the English always assume they can be so snubby judges of others? Before criticising Italy, you should beat it.
Paolo, Rome, Italy
OK, it wasn't a brilliant match. But the point was to beat the Italians and nothing else. We were sick and tired of always playing better than them...to finally bite the dust. It was no time for "jogo bonito", it was time to win, and we did, for a change!.
Gonzalo, Palencia, Spain
The columnist has no idea of how difficult is to play against a BUS!But, afterall, this wasn't a victory over italians, but a victory over spanish fears, own prejudices and lack of confidence. Now the path is cleaned for develope our playing. 25 years of history have been defeated. Now, let's enjoy.
pablo, granada , spain
I believe indeed that the writer has not watched the same match!!! Spain fought hard and put Italy in the "tightrope" nearly all the match!!!.
Spain, at last, was a team, trying to push and shoot!. In the penalties, IKER was great. He had the ability to calm down, and the energy to stop two shots.
Ana, Madrid, Spain
Thanks for telling it straight, not trying to pretend it was a tactical battle. It was rubbish, Italy at their defensive worst and Spain clueless how to break them down. After the Russian masterclass the day before it made it even worse
Danny, Tel Aviv, Israel
Too rigid. A careful game but far from dull. Spain deserves the win. Dutch is a disappointment. They even fancied they could scare the Russians die.
Chen , beijing , china
Fabregas rated as 5 above. Are you having a laugh. He ran the show and was different class when he came on and then held his nerve to send Italy out. Did you even watch the game?
Jon Morrow, Croxley Green, UK
Exactly - what game were you watching? Spain tried tirelessly to break down Italy's 10-man defence, and had two clear penalty claims ignored.
Having watched this surrounded by Spaniards, I can tell you that it certainly didn't seem unexciting to them and us.
Nick, Barcelona,
Perhaps we didn't watch the same match or you are just clueless, but it was very entertaining actually, Spain shot 21 times, Italy's 8. If Casillas and Buffon are the two best goalkeepers in the world, and Italy is involved, a draw can happen. Good the best team won at the end =)
Alex, Leon, Spain
I love spain. spain´ll the champions!
Chau, VietTri, Vietnam
It's all Berlusconi's fault and the reflection of the current differences between the two countries!!!! Spain moving forward, Italy stuck in its self-made limbo of stillness and ideological void, relying on the same old tricks.
Luca, Beijing, China
The game was awful - but that wasn't the Spanish team's fault, who tried relentlessly to breath air into it, but the Italian's outright refusal to contribute the slightest bit to the game. It was for the better of the tournament that their non-soccer was not rewarded. Fair result, in the end.
Ben, Berlin, Germany
Complete rubbish.
This was one of the most exciting games I have watched in a long time. Shame to go to penalties, I agree, but the test team won. I wonder what the spanish team could do with a decent manager!
jazz brown, Barcelona, Spain
We watched a different game, mate. ok, it wasn't a great game, but it was very entretaining. Spain had more than 15 shots and Italy five o six, that tells you the type of football the italians play. Do you know how much it hurts when someone stamps on your foot? Silva is not a cheat.
jr, dorset,
Isn't it a little naive to expect an open game when Italy is involved? ITS ITALY in quarterfinals! Holland- Russia WAS a disappointment cause the dutchies were not the same, mentally. Iniesta had a bad day and both Spain and Xavi felt it.
GOOD FOOTBALL MATCH! Iker-Gigi brilliant!
Leo, Toronto, Canada
Go, España, go!!!! We're the best!!!
I´m so so proud of my team!
I´m sure we are going to win to the russians and...we´ll the champions!
Lourdes, Cáceres, Spain
Iker Casillas has the GOD'S hands...and the rest is silence
Esteban, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
This match was all that it promised to be; 60% gamesmanship and 40% football. When will teams like Italy, Spain, Portugal and Germany, get the message that people want to see 90 minutes of hard football, not 90 minutes of soft play acting?
Richard Crow, Warsaw, Poland
Hahaahaha! The best football is played by the ENGLISH team... At Pro Evolution Soccer 6!
Sergio, Sicilia, Italia
First 90 minutes a big yawn, Italy playing wet-blanket football to smother Spanish fires instead of trying to score. Extra time a bit more interesting than watching the turf grow - good saves forced at both ends. But Spain deserved to win, so penalty shoot-out (for once) produced the correct result.
Mike, High Wycombe, UK
We stronger now and we want to take revenge. All will be so. Russians not give up!
Inna, Vladivostok, Russia
Spain has been worthy of the victory. We can be champion of Europe. ¡ QUE VIVA ESPAÑA !
Agus, Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain
Sometimes the first game, or even the whole group stage, can be misleading (remember Italy in 1982?). Russia'a form has been improving from game to game while Spain today was only a shadow of itself 2 weeks ago. Underestimate Russia at your own peril...
Dmitriy, London, UK
A poor match?
Were you facing the wall?
Was the referee born Italian or just bought Italian do you think?
I didn't see a great tactical battle either but I saw a cracking game of football.
Felicidades Espanya!
Mark Watson, Barcelona, Spain
This evening I have enjoy watching the TV as never before watching Spain, I have liked Spain despite what this article is saying. Go Spain!!!
pablo, madrid, spain
I´m proud too. go spain!!!
ruben, leon, spain
Im happy about Spain, it was his time
so dont trust about Russia it could be your worst nightmare....
anyway congratulations Spain!
ted, london,
Of course, the game was rather annoying but with emotion, this is due to the type of tooball that Italy usually practices and Spain has paid to Italy with its own style. Why do you want to play a fantastic match if at the end of it you have lost? With Italy I prefer to play worse but at the end win.
Jose Luis, Madrid, Spain
Of course, Spain is always the worst. -Sarcastic mode OFF-
I'am sorry, but Spain is almost in the final. Perhaps you should see previous matches to see what spain is capable off, with a team who plays football, not antifootball.
Spain is going to eat Russia!!!
Peter, Leganes,
at last we´ve gone past the quater finals. we´ve only won this tornament once and lost another final in the 80´s.
We can safely hand on the title of European under achievers to England.
we´ll probably loose against russia but we´ve got rid of our hoodoo
eduardo, La Coruña,
thanks god!!! we did it; thanks Iker thanks Fabregas...
Thanks Spain because I have been excited during 2 hours feeling that we were able to win Italy; now, I´m sure, we will win Russia and play the final next sunday. Podemos!
esther, Madrid, España
5 for Cesc Fabregas ??? Are you serious? He took control of the game as soon as he came on, the best player on the pitch bar none. Great analysis.
John McGrath, Dundalk,
I think Fabregas deserved a better rating than 5 after coming on and making spain more dangerous. It was well acknowledged by teh commentators that he influenced the game when he came on. I guess you are not too sharp with your eyes as you somehow witnessed Buffon saving penalties from two italians.
James varley, maynooth, Ireland
yess!! we did it!! we are on semifinals!!!!!! next station russia!!!
Oh thanks because I have enjoy this match as a child!!!! I am really happy!!! thanks !!!
I´m proud !!! I´m spaniard and I´m proud.
esther, Madrid, España