To win a game. one needs to score, as goals are the measure in this game. I am willing to admit that Spain did not play its best, but they lead most of the game. There was a major tactical error in the early substitutions that in view of a potential OT was very possible given the 1 x 0 lead. This was further complicated because in OT Spain suffered an injury and in effect they were playing with 10 men.
Ireland had a chance to go forward and could not convert into reality, but having said that, Ireland did not play on a level that would be a lot better than Spain, and in the end, as I said the one with more goals goes forward.
The penalties proved to be the exact same. In this instance, the team that went forward was not the one that played better, it was actually the team that made less costly errors.
Also.... I mentioned earlier the weather as a factor, playing 120 minutes of fútbol in today's weather was clearly not the best... The Spaniards were trying to conserve. I do not agree with timeliness of the decision about substitutions, yet, although they took a great risk, it may in the end prove to be in their benefit.
As for Forza Azzurri.... hmmmm well now that I am thinking about it, I may join you in becoming a tifosi (that way if Italy beats Korea, Spain will have an easier route to the Championship) -g [then again, a game between Italy ~vs~ Spain could become like a European civil war] -g |
