Italy 1 - 1 Spain
Di Natale (60') Fabregas (64')
Italy and Spain faced off today in what looks to be Group
C’s best matchup and the two most recent world champions drew 1-1. The Spanish side chose to not start any
of their regular strikers, opting to play Cesc Fabregas at forward between the
talents of David Silva and Andres Iniesta. The defending World and European Cup champions dominated a
majority of the game with their trademark passing game. They struggled, however, on many
occasions to finish.
The Italians, who have been wracked with game fixing
scandals and losses to Russia and USA, took Spain’s failed attacks to drive
dangerous counterattacks. One
counterattack came off a sloppy clearance in the Spanish defense and Mario
Balotelli nearly struck home, but his hesitation allowed Sergio Ramos to fend
off the Manchester City striker’s offense. This quickly lead to Balotelli being pulled out for Antonio
Di Natale.
The striker found the back of the net five minutes after
being subbed in. Andrea Pirlo
pushed a beautiful through ball through and Di Natale knocked the ball past a
defenseless Iker Casillas, putting the Azzurri up 1-0. Despite being knocked down a peg,
Spain’s Cesc Fabregas leveled the two teams three minutes later.
The teams went on to draw 1-1. The two powerhouses of Group C have gotten each other out of
the way and will both face Croatia and Ireland in their upcoming matches. Croatia, who defeated Ireland 3-1, sit atop
Group C with tree points and will be the team to beat.
By Matthew Sinacore
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