Spain dream evaporates

Spain have lived up to their reputation of losing out in big tournaments and frankly this time they had a huge chance to go a lot further. I even had a belief that they can go on and beat Brazil. But it was Vieira inspired France who came on top against all odds. Match started off with both teams creating chances and outing pressure. But it was France who were creating more clear cut chances and had more possession in attacking third. In 23rd minute Henry’s perfect cross went past inches close to Vieira’s stretched leg. France had given the warning; they were here to win it.

But it was Spain who got the lead in 28th minute when Pablo was brought down by Thuram inside the box and David Villa converted from the spot. Match was evenly poised and France who were always threatening to break the offside trap were eventually successful when Ribery broke free and after rounding the goalkeeper he put the ball in.

Second half started slowly with ball mostly in midfield and defense dominating but there was a twist in the tale, in 82nd minute Henry was brought down by Puyol and Zidane’s free kick was headed into the net by Vieira. Spain were stunned and France were over the moon. Nobody in their wildest dreams have thought that France who struggled so bad in round games will be on the verge of Quarter final place instead of Spain. Spain started looking for the equalizer and that gave France another break which Zidane as cool as cucumber converted and 3-1 France.

This was one of the shocks of the tournament, Spain started so strongly with four – nil thrashing of Ukraine and look at the irony Ukraine are in Quarters and Spain not. Today they were simply not able to find the answers and they couldn’t show the same fluency which they did early in the tournament. Sad end for Spain and France well I doubt they can be much threat to Brazil.