Now firmly onto the stage where we know most of each country’s players, the matches are becoming more fascinating as well as a lot tenser. With the underdogs proving they are worthy of winning the Henri Delaunay trophy, the competition is up for grabs. Looking at the second round of matches, the quality of play is improving every day.
Into the second match round where countries are eager for a win, both countries will be going all out to secure three points.
Group C
Croatia knew a win against Italy would see them through to the knockout stages and Spain, Italy and the Republic of Ireland would have to battle for second place. However, Italy knew a win would put them in the running too.
With the game kicking off, it was Italy who were in the ascendency and with Mario Balotelli looking to put to bed his first game woes; he attempted a shot on the turn which went just wide of the post. Another chance went begging to Balotelli who was getting in the right positions but just not doing enough with the ball. His deflected effort fell for Claudio Marchisio whose fantastic shot just swerved over the bar. As more chances fell to the Manchester City man, he proved wasteful and struck a shot well wide of the target.
You would have thought Croatia could capitalise on the counter attack but they looked somewhat flat and void of ideas as Italy looked the more dangerous. And when Balotelli was sent tumbling to the ground, Andrea Pirlo took the resulting free-kick. And what a spectacular one it was. Curling over the wall, it landed perfectly into the back of the net via an outstretched hand from Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa.
Italy are known for their defensive shields and decided to play the Chelsea/Denmark/England tactic and sit deep, waiting to hit on the break. However, something must have happened to the Croatian side because they were finally beginning to play, and more importantly finally dictating play. Luka Modrić was a menace in midfield and his shot wasn’t too far over Gianluigi Buffon’s goal. With Italy doing well at the back, the partnership of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci was fantastic to see as they kept Slaven Bilić’s side at bay.
Into the last quarter of an hour, someone must have said something to Chiellini because a cross from right-back Ivan Strinić went over the head of the big Italian defender and straight into the path of Mario Mandžukić. And like all strikers named Mario in this tournament (aside from Balotelli), he made no mistake in lashing the ball into the net. Chiellini should have cleared it but he was too busy admiring his earlier fortitude.
The 1-1 result was the fifth of the tournament and meant Croatia couldn’t qualify yet. For Italy, they would have been upset to have been so close to winning their first competitive match in a tournament in six games.
Over to Spain and the Republic of Ireland now who were both looking to get a win to stay in contention with the others. Following Spain’s 1-1 draw with Italy, they needed a win to match Croatia’s point tally and Ireland’s 3-1 earlier defeat meant they needed a win to simply stay alive. Within three minutes, the same amount of time it took in their first game, Giovanni Trapattoni’s men were behind. Richard Dunne made a great tackle on David Silva in the box and then couldn’t take his walking stick out in time to get up, allowing Fernando Torres to nick in and smash the ball into the net.
Unfortunately for the Irish, when Spain get an early goal, they do what they do best. Pass. Pass. Pass. The Boys in Green were literally The Boys in Trouble as they continued to gift Spain possession and only last ditch tackles were preventing more goals. Andrés Iniesta had a shot saved by an underperforming Shay Given which was followed by another Iniesta effort that was tipped over the bar by the Irish ‘keeper. That half-time whistle went and surprisingly, the Spanish were only one goal up.
Knowing full well what they did against Croatia, conceding inside three minutes in the first and second half, the Republic of Ireland gave Spain the ball and watched to see if they could do it again. Amazingly, when the ball came to David Silva in the box, the Irish defenders simply refused to make a tackle and danced around the Spanish midfielder, who easily tucked the ball low to finish past a sprawling Given.
Spain continued to press as they looked to extend their goal difference over Croatia and when a shot from Xavi looked destined for the net, a brilliant save from Given denied the Barcelona star. But that wasn’t the end of the torture and as if conceding a goal to Torres wasn’t enough, poor defending saw Silva free the Chelsea man who coolly finished at the near post to make it 3-0. He looked back on form and deadly in the box.
Some of the Irish players were at walking pace after the third goal and fell asleep at a corner. Xavi played it short, like they do with 90% of their corners, and nobody picked out the free Cesc Fàbregas who absolutely hammered a shot into the goal. It was hit with such venom; there was no chance of saving that. He celebrated with such aggression; it almost looked as if he tried.
Without getting out of second gear, Spain controlled the match from start to finish and Iker Casillas could have gone home halfway through. The Republic of Ireland were clearly out of their depth and unfortunately couldn’t get a hold of the game.
Now that Group C has opened up…
Where Did He Come From?
Leonardo Bonucci
Italy have always been known for their defenders but since the 2006 World Cup triumph, they haven’t been as good as Leonardo Bonucci was against Croatia. The 6ft 3in centre-back was dominant throughout the match and kept Croatia out of the game. But for his teammate’s mistake, he could have helped Buffon keep a clean sheet.
The Juventus man, who helped his club win the league title unbeaten all season, at only 25 looks like he has hit his peak at the top level. His level of composure and coolness at the back was vital to Italy’s backline.
Was He Even Playing?
Richard Dunne
I’d hate to pick on an Irishman for their second game in a row but they were just dismal collectively yet again. The poor defensive errors have cost them dearly in the competition and even with the experienced Shay Given in goal; they couldn’t help but fall into the Spanish hands. What is supposed to be a defence full of familiarity with Richard Dunne as captain, the defenders looked like they were playing their first game together.
You can say, yes it is Spain, the team to beat in Europe, but Ireland didn’t do themselves any favours by defending so rashly. Dunne, out of the lot, was purely at fault for the first goal and bar a few good long passes was merely a passenger in the Irish’s journey to defeat.
Where Does This Leave Us?
With a defeat for the Republic of Ireland, they are effectively out of the competition. Spain and Croatia will be locking horns in the final game whereas Italy will be hoping for results elsewhere to go their way.
Republic of Ireland (0 Points)
They cannot take top spot.
They cannot take second place.
If they win, draw or lose, they are out.
Italy (2 Points)
To take top spot, Italy must beat the Republic of Ireland and hope Spain and Croatia play out a draw.
To take second spot, they have to beat the Republic of Ireland and hope either Spain or Croatia win.
If they lose, they are out.
Croatia (4 Points)
To take top spot, Croatia must beat Spain.
To take second place, they can afford to draw with Spain 1-1 and hope Italy do not beat the Republic of Ireland.
If they lose, they can still qualify if Ireland beat Italy.
Spain (4 Points)
To take top spot, Spain must at least draw 1-1 and hope Italy don’t beat Ireland.
To take second place, Spain can afford to lose providing Ireland beat or draw with Italy.
As hard as it is to understand, imagine me writing it!
If you missed it, check out Group A’s second game review here.
If you missed this one too, check out Group B’s second game review here.
What Happens In Football 
Great article. Keep up the good work.