'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A fair result for both teams as Spain were held on to a draw by Italy. Del Bosque decided to start without a striker and Cesc Fabregas was included as a false ’9′. This allowed Italy to start with just three at the back; De Rossi partnering Bonucci and Chiellini in defence.
As expected, Spain had a upper hand in terms of possession from the start and both sides missed a couple of good chances in the first half which saw no goals being scored. No changes were made by either side during the interval and following a hilarious missed chance from Balotelli, manager Prandelli decided to replace the temperamental striker with Antonio Di Natale. The Udinese man made an immediate impact and produced a wonderful finish from a delightful Andrea Pirlo pass in the 61st minute to open the scoring. Italy’s joys were shortlived as Cesc Fabregas equalized for Spain within three minutes. Fernando Torres was introduced for Fabregas in the later stages but the Chelsea man failed to score despite getting a couple of good chances. The match ended 1-1 and both sides looked content with the scoreline.
Player Ratings:
SPAIN:Iker Casillas (7.5) : Was kept busy by the Italian forwards. Produced a fine save from a Thiago Motta header in the first half. Could do nothing much to stop Di Natale’s precise strike.
Alvero Arbeloa (5.5) :Failed to leave a mark on the match. Didn’t go forward much and made a few clumsy challenges while defending.
Sergio Ramos (6) : Survived a scare early in the second half when he managed to recover in time after being caught in possession by Mario Balotelli. Tried to play Di Natale offside but his timing let him down for the goal.
Gerard Pique (6.5) : Failed to track Di Natale but looked good throughout the match. Made a few crunching tackles.
Jordi Alba (5.5) : Failed to live up to the hype surrounding him regarding a possible move to Manchester United or Barcelona. Attacked well but was caught out of position on more than one occasion.
Xabi Alonso (6.5) : Continuously pressed the Italians whenever Spain were not in possession. Kept trying to find a decisive through ball through the Italian defence. All in all, a decent outing.
Sergio Busquets (6) : Was supposed to shield his back four but looked sloppy throughout the match. Failed to track the five midfielders and was caught out of possession at times.
David Silva (7) : An inconsistent performance by the lanky midfielder. Kept disappearing in between but created chances aplenty for his side, including a delightful assist for Cesc Fabregas goal before being substituted by Jesus Navas.
Xavi Hernandez (7.5) : Provided a channel for the ball to flow throughout the midfield for Spain. Stuck to his usual one touch passing and troubled the defenders with his movement.
Andres Iniesta (7.5) : Provided a fair amount of width in the absence of wingers. Looked more than eager to drop back and win the ball for his side. Perhaps the most consistent player for Spain tonight.
Cesc Fabregas (7.5) : Started in an unfamiliar role upfront. Looked uncomfortable but managed to net a goal when it mattered. Was eventually replaced by Fernando Torres.
Substitutions:
Jesus Navas (6.5) : The Sevilla man had little time to play but still managed to make an impact on the match with his thunderbolt pace.
Fernando Torres (4) : Del Bosque must be ruing his decision to bring Torres on instead of Llorente. Failed to score from two clear cut chances.
ITALY:
Gigi Buffon (7.5) : The Juventus goalie was dubbed a ‘legend’ by his Spanish counterpart Casillas and the 34-year-old lived up to expectation by blocking everything that came his way, apart from the Fabregas finish. Was quick to get off his line on a couple of occasions when he was one-on-one with Torres.we
Christian Maggio (6) : Troubled Alba with his runs but failed to provide a killer cross into the box.
Leonardo Bonucci (7) : Made a number of vital interceptions. Tracked his marker efficiently.
Giorgio Chiellini (7) : Held the defence together with his no-nonsense style of defending.
Daniele De Rossi (8) : Started in an unfamiliar role as a defender but looked comfortable. Timed his tackles to perfection to keep the tricky Spanish midfielders at bay.
Thiago Motta (6.5) : The former Barcelona midfielder had a great chance to open the scoring in the first half but his header was kept out by Casillas. Did his best to assist the defenders.
Andrea Pirlo (6.5) : Provided a delightful through ball for Di Natale to finish. Was kept uncharacteristically quiet for the remaining period.
Emanuele Giaccherini (6) : The debutant failed to follow Fabregas’ run for the goal but made a decent contribution otherwise.
Claudio Marchisio (6.5) : Came up with a run or a pass whenever it mattered. A thunderous left footed volley was saved brilliantly by Casillas.
Antonio Cassano (7) : Worked tirelessly throughout the match before being replaced by Giovinco in the 65th minute. Continuously probed the Spanish defence and his movement in the first half was incredible.
Mario Balotelli (5.5) : After trying to shoot from distance throughout the first half, the volatile striker made a great opportunity for himself in the second but showed no urgency in firing a shot and was dispossessed by a recovering Ramos. Was eventually replaced by Di Natale.
Substitutions:
Antonio Di Natale (7) : Replaced Balotelli and scored within 5 minutes of coming on. Could have added another but his volley failed to find the back of the net.
Sebastian Giovinco (6) : Replaced Cassano in the 65th minute and brilliantly laid off the ball for Di Natale whose shot went wide.
Antonio Nocerino ( – ) : Came on in the final minute of regulation time and had no time to make an impact.
