Match report: Spain 2-0 France

This game yet again caused controversy before kick-off with Spain choosing to play with no striker, taking out Fernando Torres and replacing him with Cesc Fabregas after a disappointing game for Torres against Croatia, and a French side looking to show their resilience after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to a Swedish side already knocked out of the tournament.

Spanish Line Up
01 Casillas
03 Pique
15 Ramos
17 Arbeloa
18 Alba
06 Iniesta

08 Xavi
10 Fabregas
14 Alonso
16 Busquets
21 Silva

French Line Up
01 Lloris
02 Debuchy
04 Rami
13 Reveillere
21 Koscielny
22 Clichy
06 Cabaye
15 Malouda
17 M'Vila
07 Ribery
10 Benzema

Alonso heads home to make it 1-0

The game kicked off with both sides having good spells of early possession but no final product at both ends, the first big call of the game was a penalty shout for Spain when a ball was lofted in over Clichy's head and Fabregas was in behind and Clichy seemed to nudge Fabregas to the ground, but the referee saw nothing in it, and waved play on. Spain's passing became very sloppy after that but France couldn't break through the Spanish defence. After a surging run by Alba the French right back, Debuchy slipped and allowed Alba to get in a cross to Alonso who was unmarked and the far post and with the goalkeeper flat footed he drove his header into the far corner to put the reigning champions 1-0 up, after this France tried to get as many players behind the ball as possible to stop conceding more. France's best chance of the half was a free-kick from 35 yards out by Cabaye forcing Casillas into a comfortable save but showing that France can be a threat.

HT - Spain 1-0 France

The first ten minutes of the second half started like the first ten minutes of the first half with both sides having their fait share of possession but not creating any chances but as time went on France began to keep the ball well and throw a good few passes together keeping it away from Spain, which changed the balance of the game, then on 60 minutes Ribery managed to swing in a cross and find the head of Debuchy who's head just floated over the bar but the French attack were starting to ask questions of the Spanish defence. Spain then decided to make an important change by putting on a striker in the form of Fernando Torres in place of Cesc Fabregas. After the change the game began to slow down apart from a cross by Ribery calmly held by Casillas and a Torres shot saved by Lloris before realising he was offside. On 89 minutes Spain had a chance as Pedro got away from his defender and was taken down by Reveillere and a penalty was given ,Xabi Alonso sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way to confirm a Spain vs Portugal semi final on Wednesday.

FT - Spain 2-0 France

 Man of The Match - Man of the match for me was Iker Casillas making some crucial saves to make sure Spain didn't throw away their lead and ensure they stay in the tournament while captaining his side well as he always does.