Euro 2012: Spain beat France to reach semifinals

The 2012 European Championships is now in the quarterfinals with Group C winners Spain taking on Group D runners-up France at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine. Defending champions Spain won Group C without really being convicning and now face France, who disappointed but still came second in their group.


QUARTERFINAL #3

Spain 2-0 (1-0) France
Goals: 1-0,2-0 Xabi Alonso (19',90+1')

Defending champions Spain didn't shine in their 2-0 victory against a hapless France with defensive midfielder Xabi Alonso scoring both goals in his 100th match for La Furia Roja. Spain will now take on Iberian neighbours Portugal in the first semifinal on Wednesday, June 27.

Spain went into the match knowing that they have never beaten France in a competition and interestingly the French were also the last side to beat Spain in a tournament, then at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

France coach Laurent Blanc send a defensive side onto the field to try and block the Spaniards and it initially seemed to work, but upfront there was no French presence. One mistake by Mathieu Debuchy and Andres Iniesta found Jordi Alba free on the left, he crosses the ball across the face of the goal for Xabi Alonso to head in Spain's lead in the 19th minute. France did recover from this setback, but they were only once really dangerous infront of goal through a Cabaye freekick. Otherwise Spain played their tiki-taka football and the French were running after them.

Things looked to change after the break as France became a little better, had more believe but Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema often were on their own upfront as Spain cleverly kept the French often away from their goal but they themselves also didn't exert too much pressure on the French goal of Hugo Lloris. In the end the match was heading for another typical 1-0 for Spain when substitute Pedro was brought down by Anthony Réveillère and Xabi Alonso sealed the victory for Spain.

But Spain were far from their best, the French didn't really challenge them but most likely Portugal will be a tougher opponent in the semifinals in what could be a mouth-watering clash amongst the neighbours.