Spain's late win enabled their defence of the trophy to continue at least for another 45 minutes. Having seen the opening game without a recognised striker, the Spanish got a point against Italy. They pasted Ireland with a striker, but that was hardly a shocker. So going into the final game against a strong Croatia who also need victory to ensure qualification, Del Bosque knew that it was a win that would see a passage to the quarter finals especially with Italy still in the frame to qualify. The Croatian's fought bravely but a second half goal from Jesus Nava secured top spot. Italy needed to win although even that may not have been enough had Spain and Croatia drawn 2-2 it would have been good night Azzuri, thankfully for Prandelli's men that was not to happen and a 2-0 win saw them take top spot and await the winners of Group D.
Spain to be honest will have to pull their socks up. Yes people will say they haven't lost and that's a fair point but they have played an Italian side that has been slow and a Republic of Ireland side that has been disappointing compared to previous. Hopefully they will recover from this and will be stronger.
There is a lot of talk that if England play Spain that England will lose. It could happen, but then we might as well go home now. We should look to Chelsea, no one gave them any chance against Barcelona. They proved them wrong. Why can't we prove the rest of Europe wrong. A game lasts 90 minutes, we play to 90. We should not panic, not react like headless chickens, we must remain composed and take it to the opposition.
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