SPAIN 2 IRELAND 0 | FRIENDLY GAME RESULT

With the Spain Football National Team being Televised here locally at 02.00 ( 2.00 am) it was difficult to watch the full 90 mins of the Friendly International against Ireland. Only managed to view the first 45 mins of an encounter that Spain went later in the 2º half to win 2 - 0.

What I saw of the first half indicated that Spain had bettered in attitude & were touching the ball around well. However, the opposition teams have learnt well how to "pin" down Spain & put up defensive "wall" set ups that halts & cause difficulties for Spain. But there was positive signs as Pedro did hit the "cross-bar" & Spain did create plenty of opportunities. 

Spanish Football
Spain starting XI vs Ireland 2013 

The 2º half I had to resort to highlights. Spain Coach Del Bosque made some changes with Casillas, Navas, Cesc, Cazorla, Soldado & Mata all getting a run & this seemed to change things in that Spain found some more spaces & Soldado was accurate in his definition. Soldado opened the scoring in the 68th min & Mata the second in the 87th min.

Mention to Iker Casillas who made two very impressive & important saves to keep out Ireland & avoid the draw. This should lift the spirits & confidence of the Spanish Captain who has been sidelined by injury & by technical decisions the last 5 months. 


In conclusion, good game from Spain which bettered considerably from Haiti & seem to be finding their "groove". However, Spain suffers when the opposition team puts all their men to defend.

Match summary:


Spain 2: Valdés (Casillas, 59); Arbeloa, Piqué, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Xavi (Mata, 69), Iniesta (Cesc, 59), Silva (Navas, 46); Villa (Soldado, 59) & Pedro (Cazorla, 79).

Ireland 0: Forde (Randolph, 73); Coleman, St. Ledger, O''Dea, Kelly (Delaney, 89); McShane, McCarthy (Meyler, 85), Hendrick (Quinn, 46); Keane (Cox, 56), Sammon & Keogh (McLean, 73).

Goals: 1-0. m.68: Soldado; 2-0. m.87: Mata.

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