SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Thousands of fans celebrate as Spain beat France 2-0 to set-up a Euro 2012 semi-final clash against Portugal

Record ID: 863584

  • Title: SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Thousands of fans celebrate as Spain beat France 2-0 to set-up a Euro 2012 semi-final clash against Portugal
  • Date: 24th June 2012
  • Summary: FANS WAVING THE SPANISH FLAG VARIOUS OF FANS CELEBRATING XABI ALONSO'S SECOND GOAL FROM THE PENALTY SPOT
  • Embargoed: 9th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • City:
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVADB0QMO20SUA4GVU83JDZOQJQA
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Thousands of fans gathered in the Madrid fan zone to watch and celebrate Spain's 2-0 victory over France in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals on Saturday (June 23).
    The fan zone, opposite Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium, went into raptures when Xabi Alonso struck twice in his 100th international to lead Spain to a comfortable victory; setting up a semi-final clash against Portugal.
    "Spain can't be any better; they are the best in the world," said Carmen among cheering fans.
    Another fans, Ricardo, said: "The best, we are the best but we have to shoot more. A lot of ball control, we have played very well but we have to shot more. The bests. Let's go to the final, to the final."
    It was an efficient and calm performance from world champions Spain, who started without a recognised striker before clinching their first ever competitive win over the French.
    "We are going to eat the Portuguese," said La Roja fan Jaime Garzon. "After that, against Germany we will have to play, but we can (defeat them)."
    It was a display which left most of the crowd at the Donbass Arena indifferent to its cautious pragmatism.
    France coach Laurent Blanc's tactics of playing two right backs in a defensive lineup failed as Spanish left back Jordi Alba skipped through to the goalline after 19 minutes and picked out an unmarked Alonso who headed firmly home at the far post.
    The experienced midfielder coolly converted a penalty in stoppage time to give the holders the victory margin their dominance deserved.
    Spain are now unbeaten in 18 competitive games since their 1-0 defeat by Switzerland in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup and have not conceded a goal in their last eight knockout games in major tournaments.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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