So that’s it. Ireland’s tournament is over before it even began in earnest. Robbie Keane and Shay Given couldn’t inspire themselves or their team mates to an acceptable Euro 2012 group stage, fairly defeated by the Croats and drubbed by the Spaniards. They have a game against Italy in which they could make amends with their fans by at least showing glimpses of their 1988, 1994 and 2002 forebears, but it all looks unlikely.
At the end of the day, though, it was very unlikely for the Irish to beat Spain. Spain aren’t the force they were in 2008 and 2010 – they are a lot more susceptible to counter attacks, and if they were faced by a really good side, they could very much be put to the sword – but they’re in a different league to Ireland, who despite having a long unbeaten run (ended in Poznan by Croatia on Sunday) were one of the weakest sides in the competition anyway.
Today’s game was not the most entertaining, but for Spain it did the job well. The game started off with Ireland on the up, former Swindon striker Simon Cox forcing a save from Iker Casillas; but this ascendancy didn’t last long, with Spain scoring off of virtually their first attack. While Spain are notably profligate offensively, all it took to break Ireland’s resolve was for Fernando Torres to quickly tackle a defender, dribble round another and smash it into the roof of the net, past an outstretched Shay Given. It was reminiscent of his Liverpool days, when “El Nino” terrorised Premier League defences – and more was yet to come for Spain.
That wasn’t to happen in the first half, however, which was a dull encounter by all meanings of the term. Spain have a habit of killing all spectacle in a game with their short, one touch passing game – an effective yet insatiably dull tactic. That isn’t a criticism (it usually is for me, though, as I like to enjoy watching football), but just a general point – Ireland attacks were few and far between, while Spain invariably passed their way out of scoring, as if they were toying with their Irish counterparts.
So, half time, and there was still hope for the boys in green. 1-0 down, albeit to far more accomplished opponents, and with Simon Cox being replaced by Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters, who did put in a fairly good shift up front with limited opportunities.
One became two in the fiftieth minute; Given punching a Spanish shot straight into David Silva’s path, who wriggled and writhed before slotting a pass between the legs of the Irish defence – quite literally. That became three as Fernando Torres ghosted through the Irish rearguard, lashing the ball into the net for a cool brace, that could have been added to had the Chelsea striker not been substituted soon after. A fine way, however, to answer critics from the entire season and a half prior to then, and also those who demonised him for his efforts against Italy.
His replacement, Fabregas, also thumped home a tightly angled goal to make it 4-0 – and you get the idea. Ireland whimpered, Spain roared, but face a lot tougher tests between now and a possible date in Kiev next month. On this form, though, you wouldn’t bet against it.
That Ludicrous Display Last Night 