Spain v R. of Ireland

Spain 4

Torres 4′, 70′ Silva 49′ Fabregas 83′

R. of Ireland 0

FT 90 +4
HT 1-0

Spain celebrate their victory over the Republic of Ireland

Euro 2012 highlights: Spain 4-0 Republic of Ireland

By Graham Chase BBC Sport

Fernando Torres scored twice as Spain knocked Republic of Ireland out of Euro 2012 with a dominant display.

Torres' powerful finish from 10 yards opened the scoring inside four minutes.

David Silva's composed effort just after the restart doubled the advantage, Torres poked in a third after a quick break and substitute Cesc Fabregas drove in a fourth.

The victory was enough to move Spain above Croatia, who they face on Monday, at the top of Group C.

The Republic's previous successes in major competitions had been based on organisation and discipline.

But their performance in their first major tournament in a decade can be summed up by the fact that, including their 3-1 defeat to Croatia, they have conceded a goal inside four minutes at the start of each half they have played.

Before their sobering loss to Croatia, the Irish had never conceded three goals in a major competition but they have now done so twice in five days on the way to losing consecutive matches in a major tournament for the first time.

For Spain, who drew their opening game 1-1 with Italy, this was a ruthless reminder of their ambition to become the first team to win three consecutive major tournaments, 24 hours after Germany drew the focus with a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands.

Analysis

Mick McCarthy Former Ireland manager and captain

"Players like Given, Duff, Dunne, Keane - I gave them their debuts. I've been involved with them for a long time. They won't want to retire on the back of that performance, that's for sure. I would be worried if I was Italy, because Ireland are going into the last game with nothing to play for except pride. So we've got nothing to worry about. We can go and hunt them down and have a go at Italy. If any of the lads are thinking of packing it in they will want to do better than tonight."

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque was also boosted by the performance of Torres, who replaced Fabregas in the starting line-up and scored his first competitive international goals since September 2010.

For all the pre-match rhetoric, and a history of battling performances by the Republic, the concession of a yet another early goal left Giovanni Trapattoni's game-plan looking redundant.

Simon Cox, drafted in to replace Kevin Doyle up front only to be withdrawn for Jonathan Walters at the interval, forced an early save from Iker Casillas but the defending champions took just three minutes to move in front.

Richard Dunne did well to block Silva after Andres Iniesta had guided in an intelligent pass, but Torres drifted around Stephen Ward before thumping a shot over Shay Given.

From that point on, Spain were able to strangle the game, controlling possession deep inside the opposition half.

When the Irish did manage to win the ball back, wingers Damien Duff and Aidan McGeady were generally too deep to contribute in attack and Robbie Keane was invariably too isolated to be picked out.

Silva had a low shot held by Given and Torres prodded wide at the near post before Keith Andrews had a shot deflected wide and Dunne missed with a header at the other end.

Iniesta had a powerful effort pushed away by Given, Silva headed over and Gerard Pique failed to make the most of a free header from Silva's corner.

Euro 2012: Cesc Fabregas completes Ireland rout

When Cox finally picked out Keane in a dangerous area, the Irish captain's effort was easily blocked by Pique.

The pattern was never likely to change and after Given palmed away an Iniesta shot three minutes after half-time, Silva calmly waited for the room to guide a shot into the bottom corner.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Silva clipped a ball in behind the defence for Torres and the Chelsea striker prodded past Given.

And there was still time for substitute Fabregas, who had come on for Torres, to drive in a powerful cross-shot to add a fourth and further underline Spanish superiority.

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

Spain

01 Casillas
03 Pique
15 Sergio Ramos
17 Arbeloa
18 Alba
06 Iniesta (Santi Cazorla - 79' )
08 Xavi
14 Alonso Booked (Javi Martinez - 65' Booked )
16 Busquets
21 Silva
09 Torres (Fabregas - 74' )

Substitutes

12 Valdes
23 Reina
02 Albiol
04 Javi Martinez
05 Juanfran
10 Fabregas
20 Santi Cazorla
22 Jesus Navas
07 Pedrito
11 Negredo
13 Mata
19 Llorente

Republic of Ireland

01 Given
02 St Ledger Booked
03 Ward
04 O'Shea
05 Dunne
06 Whelan Booked (Green - 80' )
07 McGeady
08 Andrews
11 Duff (McClean - 76' )
10 Keane Booked
20 Cox (Walters - 46' )

Substitutes

16 Westwood
23 Forde
12 Kelly
13 McShane
18 O'Dea
15 Gibson
17 Hunt
21 Green
22 McClean
09 Doyle
14 Walters
19 Long

Ref: Proenca

Att: 36,572

Match Stats

Possession 78 22

Shots

27 5

On target

22 4

Corners

8 2

Fouls

8 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:08 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

89:53

The assistant referee signals for offside against David Silva. Sean St. Ledger restarts play with the free kick.

84:11

Short corner worked by Francesc Fabregas.

83:36

Gonzalez Santi Cazorla takes the direct free kick.

83:36 Booking

Booking Sean St. Ledger booked.

83:33

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Silva by Sean St. Ledger.

82:06

David Silva decides to take the corner short,

82:04

Assist by David Silva.

82:04 Goal scored

Goal - Francesc Fabregas - Spain 4 - 0 R Ireland Francesc Fabregas gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Spain 4-0 Rep of Ireland.

81:44

Gonzalez Santi Cazorla takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.

78:44

Shay Given takes the free kick.

78:44 Substitution

Substitution Paul Green replaces Glenn Whelan.

78:44 Substitution

Substitution Gonzalez Santi Cazorla joins the action as a substitute, replacing Andres Iniesta.

78:44

Aguinaga Javi Martinez is ruled offside.

76:39

Aiden McGeady challenges David Silva unfairly and gives away a free kick. Andres Iniesta shoots direct from the free kick.

75:37

Direct free kick taken by Stephen Ward.

75:37 Substitution

Substitution James McClean replaces Damien Duff.

75:37 Booking

Booking Aguinaga Javi Martinez goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

75:03

Aguinaga Javi Martinez gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Glenn Whelan.

74:00

Robbie Keane takes a shot. Save by Iker Casillas.

73:01 Substitution

Substitution Francesc Fabregas joins the action as a substitute, replacing Fernando Torres.

69:50

David Silva provided the assist for the goal.

69:50 Goal scored

Goal - Fernando Torres - Spain 3 - 0 R Ireland Fernando Torres grabs a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Spain 3-0 Rep of Ireland.

67:38

David Silva gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Aiden McGeady. Free kick crossed by Glenn Whelan, clearance made by Garcia Sergio Ramos.

67:03

Garcia Sergio Ramos fouled by Jonathan Walters, the ref awards a free kick. Ramos Jordi Alba takes the direct free kick.

66:08

Damien Duff takes the outswinging corner, Sean St. Ledger concedes a free kick for a foul on Sergio Busquets. Gerard Pique restarts play with the free kick.

66:00

The ball is sent over by Aiden McGeady, clearance made by Garcia Sergio Ramos.

64:26 Substitution

Substitution Aguinaga Javi Martinez joins the action as a substitute, replacing Xabi Alonso.