Spain battled back from a goal down to book their place as Group H leaders with an impressive but tough 3-1 win over Tunisia. The 2004 African nations Champions had taken a surprise lead but led by Cesc Fabregas who starred as a substitute they were able to battle back with two goals from Torres and a strike from Raul.
After their previous game had ended in a 2-2 draw with the least fancied side in the group, Tunisia made no changes to their starting lineup hoping the experience of Bouazizi and Trabelsi would be enough to steer them to a good result.
In contrast Spain made no changes to their side because of the excellent performances in the opening game against the Ukraine. Villa and Torres both looked to get on the score sheet again after impressing in a 4-0 win.
The game started as a high pace as Spain looked to take an early advantage and they nearly did through Villa who volleyed just wide after five minutes. Taking a long ball down on the chest he worked well off Torres before striking the side netting.
Tunisia’s early play had been about keeping the ball and slowing Spain down but when Puyol made a hash of a clearance not once but twice they were able to capitalize and take the lead. Johar Mnari was ably assisted after a great run by Bouazizi and fired past Cassias with a scuffed shot at the second attempt.
The shock of taking the lead was not seemingly affecting the play of the Tunisians who continued to attack and make chances. It was Spain however who came closest to scoring at the end of the first half as Alonso’s free header was scraped clear by a Tunisian player on the line. In the attack following Villa was adjudged to be offside after drawing a good save from the keeper and the African’s kept the lead.
The second half began with Spain taking the initiative and after Fabregas’ introduction Spain started to show the brilliance which had swept the Ukraine aside. The young Arsenal player tested the keeper’s reflexes with a brilliant shot before Pernia did the same from similar range. On both occasions Boumnijel was equal to the efforts.
Joaquin was also sent on as Spain looked for an equalizer and after he found Torres and then Fabregas in the box, his country were back level. Cesc it was who had the initial shot but after a fine save from the keeper Raul reacted quickest to find the corner of the net and way back into the game for Spain beckoned.
On the break with the game becoming stretched Spain were denied an instant second after some more great play from Fabregas and Torres. The left footed pass played to the Athletic striker was perfect but he delayed for too long in attempting to round the keeper when clean through and had his shot swatted away by the experienced man between the sticks.
The pressure was too much to handle for Tunisia who fell deeper and deeper and it seemed only a matter of time before they conceded again. Still the goal would not come as Fabregas tried his long range luck again. His passing was more successful however as an excellent pass from him once more split open the defense and allowed him to take the keeper on this time before finishing the ball with his left foot.
Delighted to be in front Spain saw the second round in front of them and made the result a certainty when Torres was pulled down in the area and duly dispatched the resulting penalty. Despite a strong hand from the keeper the ball trickled in for Torres’ third goal of the tournament and more importantly left Spain with six points on the board heading into their final group game.
After their previous game had ended in a 2-2 draw with the least fancied side in the group, Tunisia made no changes to their starting lineup hoping the experience of Bouazizi and Trabelsi would be enough to steer them to a good result.
In contrast Spain made no changes to their side because of the excellent performances in the opening game against the Ukraine. Villa and Torres both looked to get on the score sheet again after impressing in a 4-0 win.
The game started as a high pace as Spain looked to take an early advantage and they nearly did through Villa who volleyed just wide after five minutes. Taking a long ball down on the chest he worked well off Torres before striking the side netting.
Tunisia’s early play had been about keeping the ball and slowing Spain down but when Puyol made a hash of a clearance not once but twice they were able to capitalize and take the lead. Johar Mnari was ably assisted after a great run by Bouazizi and fired past Cassias with a scuffed shot at the second attempt.
The shock of taking the lead was not seemingly affecting the play of the Tunisians who continued to attack and make chances. It was Spain however who came closest to scoring at the end of the first half as Alonso’s free header was scraped clear by a Tunisian player on the line. In the attack following Villa was adjudged to be offside after drawing a good save from the keeper and the African’s kept the lead.
The second half began with Spain taking the initiative and after Fabregas’ introduction Spain started to show the brilliance which had swept the Ukraine aside. The young Arsenal player tested the keeper’s reflexes with a brilliant shot before Pernia did the same from similar range. On both occasions Boumnijel was equal to the efforts.
Joaquin was also sent on as Spain looked for an equalizer and after he found Torres and then Fabregas in the box, his country were back level. Cesc it was who had the initial shot but after a fine save from the keeper Raul reacted quickest to find the corner of the net and way back into the game for Spain beckoned.
On the break with the game becoming stretched Spain were denied an instant second after some more great play from Fabregas and Torres. The left footed pass played to the Athletic striker was perfect but he delayed for too long in attempting to round the keeper when clean through and had his shot swatted away by the experienced man between the sticks.
The pressure was too much to handle for Tunisia who fell deeper and deeper and it seemed only a matter of time before they conceded again. Still the goal would not come as Fabregas tried his long range luck again. His passing was more successful however as an excellent pass from him once more split open the defense and allowed him to take the keeper on this time before finishing the ball with his left foot.
Delighted to be in front Spain saw the second round in front of them and made the result a certainty when Torres was pulled down in the area and duly dispatched the resulting penalty. Despite a strong hand from the keeper the ball trickled in for Torres’ third goal of the tournament and more importantly left Spain with six points on the board heading into their final group game.