Spain* 0-0 Italy - Fabregas seals 4-2 penalties win for Spain
Spain v Italy
Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Quarterfinals, Euro 2008
Sunday 22 June 2008
Kickoff: 20:45 CET, 14:45 EST
Two hours of turgid, negative football resulted in the inevitably dramatic penalty shoot-out that World Cup holders Italy appeared to have set out for from the outset in this damp squib of a quarter-final – but mercifully it was the more adventurous Spaniards that ended the night celebrating. Burying their incredible hoodoo of losing three past major shoot-outs on the date of June 22 (in 1986, 1996 and 2002) Spain held their nerve to triumph 4-2 on penalties - with Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas slotting home the decisive spot kick with aplomb.
This disappointing clash made France v Romania look like a thriller but we’ve still captured the highs and lows in our FULL-TIME FILE……
BEST GOAL
We never really came close to seeing a goal in open play despite Spain’s persistent attempts to break down a packed Italian defence, so the lottery of the penalty shoot-out decided matters. Goals from Villa, Cazorla and Senna had given Luis Aragones’ side a 3-2 lead, and following a second brilliant save from Iker Casillas, the pivotal spot kick came down to Arsenal talisman Cesc Fabregas. Knowing that a successful attempt would put his country into a mouth-watering semi-final against Russia, Fabregas could have been excused for crumbling under the pressure – but instead the Gunners star coolly sent Buffon the wrong way with a crisp shot to the keeper’s left to send the Spanish fans hysterical.
WORST MISS
In a game almost entirely devoid of goalscoring chances the worst miss of the night didn’t come from an effort on goal but from the German officials in Vienna who inexplicably failed to spot the disgraceful antics of Italy substitute Antonio di Natale. After being ‘hurt’ by Spanish left back Joan Capdevila the Italian rolled off the pitch – only to realise his mistake and laughably roll back onto the playing surface in order to have the game stopped! Herbert Fandel and his assistant referee, who was just yards away, were duly stung by the shrill of thousands of whistles from Spain fans incensed at their failure to spot such blatant gamesmanship.
BEST SAVE
Iker Casillas pulled of two stunning saves in the penalty shoot-out but it was his brilliant 60th minute stop from Mauro Camoranesi that ensured his side kept a clean sheet on the night. Amid a goalmouth scramble of sorts Camoranesi swivelled to hit a low right foot strike from eight yards out – only to be denied by the Spanish captain who despite being wrong-footed stretched out a left boot to clear the danger and prevent an almost-certain winning goal.
WORST FOUL
Referee Herbert Fandel blew up for an endless steam of free-kicks during a frustrating 120 minutes of action but there wasn’t a nasty tackle all evening long. That said, Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos did flatten Camoranesi in extra-time with a kung-fu style kick into the Italian’s back. Fortunately for Ramos, the world champions wasted the free-kick he had so recklessly conceded.
BIGGEST GAFFE
Italy skipper Gianluigi Buffon almost single-handedly helped his country reach the quarter-finals but he was left red-faced and relieved in the 80th minute after making a collector’s item of a clanger. Gathering a harmless looking Marcos Senna shot with ease, Buffon somehow allowed the ball to spill out of his grasp and watched in horror as it spun back wickedly towards his bottom corner. Scrambling backwards the Juventus stopper looked mightily relieved as the ball came back off the post and into the safety of his grateful arms.
HERO
Spain’s captain Iker Casillas was the undoubted star of the show - so much so that even the most ardent Barcelona fan will surely be toasting the Real Madrid goalkeeper for his heroics in Vienna. Not only did Casillas keep his side in the game with two vital saves in normal time, he also saved twice in the shoot-out to give his side a crucial advantage. The Spaniard’s fabulous full stretch diving save to keep out De Rossi’s penalty set up the victory, and his heroic status was complete as he guessed correctly to foil Di Natale’s weak fourth spot kick. This captain led by example and fully deserves the headlines.
ZERO
He may have been a great player but Roberto Donadoni has endured a miserable Euro 2008. Mightily fortunate to make the knockout stages in the first place, the Italy coach had the chance to make amends but instead instructed his side to play some of the most negative, defensive football we have seen in the whole competition. With little or no invention being shown, and even less ambition, Donadoni’s side had the look of a team that had been strangled tactically by their defensively-minded manager. Surely it is now the end of the road for Donadoni as coach of the Italian national team.
THE TWO GAFFERS
At the grand old age of 69, Luis Aragones is the oldest coach at Euro 2008 but that doesn’t stop his side looking like one of the more sprightly sides in the tournament. The Spaniard could be accused of tightening things up for this clash but they were still far more adventurous than Italy and deserved to progress. It remains a mystery why Fabregas can’t make his starting line-up but with four wins on the trot, his system is working. Aragones’ brave decision to take Fernando Torres off in the 85th minute could have backfired – but it didn’t – and the grandfather will rightfully live to fight another day against the Russians on Thursday.
7/10
Roberto Donadoni’s defensive tactics came back to haunt him in this one and he will receive little or no sympathy when the post mortem is delivered. With his tactics based on getting ten men behind the ball at all times with long balls to Luca Toni as their only attacking outlet it is little wonder his side created very little. The introductions of Camoranesi and Del Piero livened up proceedings but even as the prospect of a penalty shoot out loomed large his team showed very little urgency. He can expect his P45 very soon….
5/10
Also See:
Portugal v Germany - Live Blog
Portugal v Germany - Match Report
Croatia v Turkey
Netherlands v Russia
The 2008 Soccerlens Awards: Nominate Your Favourite Football Sites Here
Spain has got this one, the Italians are notoriously dirty players and whiney as well.
Though I am half Italian (and probably look Italian and feel it), I still feel gutted from the Australia WC 2006 match… agony alright.
The Italians will get this one. Spain had problems even against Sweden and only won because of Villa. If The block Xavi and Iniesta they can control the center and put pressure with long balls on the spaniards.
I don’t understand when the Italians got this reputation for being dirty? So they win because they are dirty is that it? What about the crazy notion that Italy wins championships because they are good. The Azzurri team has the best goaltender in the world in Buffon, the best defender Cannavaro (when not injured) and one of the best if not the best mid-fielders in Pirlo. Usually when you have a team made up of world class players and a style of defensive play that no one in the world can touch, you will have success. Dirty? I don’t think so. Just because soccer is just another domain of many, that Italians and Italian culture dominate, it makes Italians a target for haters and jealous people. And I am not even Italian.
FORZA AZZURRI!!! I think we can close down Villa and Torres and Casillas is vulnerable at times, so I’m saying Italy 2-1 Spain with Cassano scoring a late goal.
I think italian are half dirty when sometimes they can’t play. And trully i dont like italian style. Today Roberto Danadoni’s men Wil be send to italy.
If you’re even slightly superstitious…
Team facts - Spain
Been knocked out of major tournaments on three occasions on 22 June, all three after a penalty shoot-out. Lost against Belgium at the 1986 World Cup, England at Euro 96 and South Korea at the 2002 World Cup. Their only other international on 22 June was a 3-2 friendly win against Italy in 1930.
On a streak of nine straight wins and will break their best ever international winning run with a victory against Italy. Their previous streak of nine straight wins was ended by Italy in 1927.
Victory will see them break their record for longest winning streak in competitive matches (seven).
Team facts - Italy
The last two reigning world champions from Europe went on to the final of the next European Championship. Germany finished runners-up in 1992 and France won Euro 2000.
And you’re telling me Italians have no chance of winning?
Forza Italia… Hope Italy can nick this one in 90 minutes!
Ahmed maybe you should quit predicting
Fabregas don’t bottle penalties
……and the winner is SPAIN. it was a close call though good couple of saves from casillas and buffon but at last spain has put one over italy after decades. we are now left with 2 dark horses- turkey & russia-, perennial underachievers spain and pre-tournament favourites germany it can be any of these that can go all the way. well time will tell at this stage i am not tipping any of them b/cos this tournament has alot of suprises and i have the feeling there will be more.
And the winner is the team that played better
Getting the most of ball possession without ever shooting on net isn’t exactly what I’d call playing better.
Raed - officially taking a break from any predictions
I thought David Villa didn’t do anything were as Torres did atleast have moments, owell I suppose it doesn’t matter as long as they are through.
Liverpool_Fan,
Torres didn’t have moments, i would say he was just as average , if not poorer than villa. with villa you know he is capable of having a rubbish game and scoring a goal. as an arsenal fan i can say that cesc was the best outfield player on the pitch last night and surely has to take the place of xavi who seems to have used his best form in a failng barcelona team.
The Italian FA have already fired Roberto Donadoni and have stated that they are very interested in re-signing Marcello Lippi for the managerial spot. The world cup winner announced that he will maybe, if not probably, accept the offer and become coach in time for the World Cup 2010 qualifiers.
Just for the record…Your, Worst Foul category above got its facts wrong. Yes, Sergio Ramos did put a nice ninja kick on display. HOWEVER, if you watched the game, the referee signaled a handball, not a foul. Looking at the replay you can see the handball. So just to let you know, it wasn’t called a foul, even though it should have been.
The Italians was lucky to get through to this stage once again. They just barely beat France to make it to the 1/4 finals with a dive & a own goal from T Henry..Forza El DOLPHINO!
Spain played with much more passion throughout the game rather than the El Dolpinos with a defensive strategy. But what else could italy really do?? nothing! Not even with Toni, there top striker. ITALY your players are OOOOLLLLDDDD they need a zimmerframe now..c’mon…get some younger players in!
Lets all say thanks to the italian manager, Donadonkey! for his great leadership in italian football.Ha ha. Italy has had this comming since 94… good luck for the future Ciao and va fongool.lol.
Surely Ramos and Puyol were better than Cesc not to mention Silva, none of the Italians played well. I find it hard to see how Villa had a poorer game than Torres were at least Torres got past a few Defenders at times. Again premiership Bias overules.