Friday 28 June 2013

Navved It

  

Spain line-up: Casillas, Pique, Ramos, Arbeloa, Alba, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Silva (Navas, 52'), Torres (Martinez, 94'), Pedro (Mata, 79')
Italy line-up: Buffon, Maggio, Chiellini, Barzagli (Montolivo, 45'), Bonucci, Candreva, Marchisio, De Rossi, Pirlo, Giaccherini, Gilardino (Giovinco, 91')

After two hours of goalless football, Spain managed to book their place against Brazil in the final of the Confederations Cup. It was a match that Italy actually dominated but were made to rue their missed chances throughout the match. From a goalless match, the game saw 12 fantastic penalties before Leonardo Bonucci sent his effort in to row z, allowing Jesus Navas to make it seven out of seven for Spain and go through.

The shoot-out began in audacious form with Antonio Candreva emulating both Andrea Pirlo and Sergio Ramos in recent years by scoring with an outrageous chip. Neither keeper really had a chance in the shoot-out as every single penalty found the corner. With all ten penalties finding the net, the shoot-out went in to sudden death and after Riccardo Montolivo and Sergio Busquets had made it 6-6, it was the turn of Bonucci. 

If the Italians were able to call upon Mario Balotelli, the game may not have gotten so far as penalties, but Italy just couldn't find a breakthrough. The chances began after just ten minutes when Christian Maggio managed to get a free header from a corner but he could only head over. 

Spain were still in control possession wise, but just couldn't break down the Italian defensive set up, which then allowed Italy to hit the World Champions on the counter. Alberto Gilardino was the next to have a chance but his effort was also just wide. Iker Casillas' first call in to action came just before the 20-minute mark when Maggio got on to the end of an unbelievable Pirlo long pass, the wing back managed to get a diving header on to it, but it was straight at Casillas who managed to get it away.

Spain's defence was continuously opened up during the first half and both Daniele De Rossi and Claudio Marchisio were guilty of not putting their efforts on target. With ten minutes of the half remaining, Maggio was again scratching his head as to why his header from Emanuele Giaccherini's cross was only straight at Casillas again.

Spain's only real chance of the half came straight after as they went up the other end. Fernando Torres managed to turn Andrea Barzagli a treat to find himself through on goal. But the Chelsea striker could only drag his effort wide. De Rossi would again test Casillas just before half-time with a stinging shot that Casillas could only punch.

The second half was a lot slower paced than the first but Spain managed to get the first chance ten minutes in to the half. It was substitute Navas who managed to give Gianluigi Buffon his first save after Torres played the ball back to him. Maggio ended up creating more trouble down the wing but this time Marchisio's shot was blocked. Spain tried to create something before the end, but the game ultimately drifted in to extra time.

The closest anyone came to goal was when substitute Sebastian Giovinco sliced his effort, the ball ran to Giaccherini who smashed his effort against the post, just three minutes in to the extra period. Spain also created chances but both Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba failed to get their efforts on target. 

Juan Mata came close for Spain in the second half of extra time, but again it was a shot that was off target. It was also Spain's turn to hit the woodwork as the minutes ran out, Xavi smashing a long effort that Buffon managed to palm on to the post. But if Buffon got somewhat lucky with that, he kept Italy in it a few moments later when he saved Navas' low shot. 

But penalties was probably the best way to decide this match and ultimately, it would be a match where Italy should have toppled to World Champions but were left to rue their missed chances.


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