Ireland vs Spain: EURO 2012 live scores, blog
Roar Guru By Matt Bungard, 15 Jun 2012 Matt Bungard is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger
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It’s do-or-die for the Republic of Ireland tonight, as they take on defending European and World Champions Spain in a match that will see them eliminated from the tournament with anything less than a draw. Join us from 4:40am AEST.
Spain’s confusing 0-10-0 formation against Italy only yielded them a point, and with David Villa missing surely it must now be time for Del Bosque to put some faith in Fernando Torres or Fernando Llorente.
In saying that, the Chelsea man did spurn a couple of decent chances in the closing stages of that 1-1 draw with Italy, and perhaps it’s time for the other man named Fernando Torres to get his chances up front for the tournament favourites.
For the Irish, it’s unfortunate that their standard of play did not match their brilliant travelling support in the opening game, and in a game against Croatia that they really needed to get something out of if they had any hopes of progressing in this group, they turned in a pretty average performance.
Though, in the defence of Trappatoni’s men, they surely can’t be that unlucky twice in a row? Sadly for them, there won’t be much luck required on Spain’s part to get a positive result here, you wouldn’t think. As much as I’ll be cheering for the Irish, this game has all the hallmarks of being another ‘Chelsea v Barcelona’ style match, but in this case I doubt there will be a happy ending for the non-Iberian team.
Join us just before 4:45am for all the team news, line-ups and formations.
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June 15th 2012 @ 4:23am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:23am | Report comment
Hey guys, we’re 25 minutes away from kick-off and we’ve got some teams…
Spain (4-3-3):
Casillas
Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba
Alonso, Busquets, Xavi
Iniesta, Torres, Silva
—
Ireland (4-4-2):
Given
O’Shea, Dunne, St.Ledger, Ward
Duff, Whelan, Andrews, McGeady
Cox, Keane
June 15th 2012 @ 4:24am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:24am | Report comment
Torres!! A striker for Spain!! Fabregas drops to the bench.
June 15th 2012 @ 4:45am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:45am | Report comment
GAME ON!
June 15th 2012 @ 4:46am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:46am | Report comment
1st min, 0-0
Raucous cheers from the Irish fans as they get a free kick about 45 yards away from goal
June 15th 2012 @ 4:47am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:47am | Report comment
2nd min, 0-0
Simon Cox with the games first shot, he hit it well and Casillas dives to his right to palm it away.
June 15th 2012 @ 4:49am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:49am | Report comment
4th min
TORRES HAS SCORED!!!!
June 15th 2012 @ 4:50am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:50am | Report comment
That was calamitous from the Irish. A couple of players stood stoically as Torres nipped in to take the ball off the foot of Dunne, get around Ward and smash it over Shay Given from 12 yards. A perfect start for Spain, disaster for the Irish!
June 15th 2012 @ 4:52am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:52am | Report comment
7th min, ESP 1-0
Again Ireland seemingly had control of the situation, Silva stole the ball from a defender and had a decent sight on goal, but his shot was straight at Shay Given.
June 15th 2012 @ 4:53am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:53am | Report comment
8th min, ESP 1-0
And Torres almost had two!! A great switch saw Arbeloa in behind the defenders, he headed it down to Torres who flashed it wide from just in front of the penalty spot
June 15th 2012 @ 4:54am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:54am | Report comment
9th min, ESP 1-0
Keane has a go from long range, it nicks Pique on the way through and Ireland have a corner!
June 15th 2012 @ 4:54am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:54am | Report comment
It ends up being a free header for Dunne but he shanks it wide!
June 15th 2012 @ 4:55am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:55am | Report comment
10th min, ESP 1-0
McGeady tries to go around the outside, but takes one too many touches and dribbles it over the byline.
June 15th 2012 @ 4:57am
Matt Bungard said | June 15th 2012 @ 4:57am | Report comment
12th min, ESP 1-0
Again the Irish surrender possession, but Torres is offside on the pass from Silva.