Euro 2008 - Day 12: Late Goal Gives Spain Perfect Record
June 18th 2008 22:37
In a meaningless game for both teams, it was Spain who came out as winners further embarrassing the defending champions Greece who lost all three games and scored only one goal in their short stay. While the Greek line-up stayed intact from previous matches, Aragonés brought ten changes to his squad, leaving midfielder Andres Iniesta as the only player who started all three matches and changing his formation from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 with Daniel Güiza as the lone striker.
From the get-go, it was Spain who controlled the ball while Greece took their chances on set-pieces. Surprisingly, it was the Greeks who scored first on a free-kick just before half-time. Giorgios Karagounis' cross nicely connected with Angelos Charisteas' head, leaving no chance to Pepe Reina. It was a classic goal from the striker who managed to get away from his marker and find a bit of space to unleash a devastating header. Although Spain was the trailing team at half-time, they had several chances to score in the first period including a long-range lob by Xabi Alonso which shaved the outside of Nikopolidis' post.
The second half had the same pattern of play, Spain controlled the open play while Greece use long balls and set-pieces to move up the field. At the 61st minute, the inevitable happened. Fabregas chipped the ball to Güiza who headed it back to Rubén de la Red at the edge of the box. With no hesitation, the midfielder volleyed a rocket past Nikopolidis whose outstretched arm wasn't enough to stop the powerful shot. Almost half an hour later, Güiza got his first international goal with a superb header after a cross from Sergio García. Once again, Spain got a late goal-winner from their striker and go to the second round undefeated.
My man of the match: David Güiza. He had one goal and one assist, giving the win to his team with a great header.
Honorable mentions:
- Xabi Alonso. His long range shots came close enough to beating Nikopolidis to warrant special attention from the Greek midfielders who tried their best to prevent him from shooting.
- Angelos Charisteas. The striker scored his team's only goal of the tournament with a majestic header.
From the get-go, it was Spain who controlled the ball while Greece took their chances on set-pieces. Surprisingly, it was the Greeks who scored first on a free-kick just before half-time. Giorgios Karagounis' cross nicely connected with Angelos Charisteas' head, leaving no chance to Pepe Reina. It was a classic goal from the striker who managed to get away from his marker and find a bit of space to unleash a devastating header. Although Spain was the trailing team at half-time, they had several chances to score in the first period including a long-range lob by Xabi Alonso which shaved the outside of Nikopolidis' post.
The second half had the same pattern of play, Spain controlled the open play while Greece use long balls and set-pieces to move up the field. At the 61st minute, the inevitable happened. Fabregas chipped the ball to Güiza who headed it back to Rubén de la Red at the edge of the box. With no hesitation, the midfielder volleyed a rocket past Nikopolidis whose outstretched arm wasn't enough to stop the powerful shot. Almost half an hour later, Güiza got his first international goal with a superb header after a cross from Sergio García. Once again, Spain got a late goal-winner from their striker and go to the second round undefeated.
My man of the match: David Güiza. He had one goal and one assist, giving the win to his team with a great header.
Honorable mentions:
- Xabi Alonso. His long range shots came close enough to beating Nikopolidis to warrant special attention from the Greek midfielders who tried their best to prevent him from shooting.
- Angelos Charisteas. The striker scored his team's only goal of the tournament with a majestic header.
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