Friday's win should add weight to the predictions of many that
Spain are favourites to capture a third straight European title, and it
should also win them many more admirers
Alvaro Morata of Spain celebrates with team mates.
If there were fears among
Spain's fans about the side's ability to score goals after a 1-0 win
over the Czech Republic in their Group D opener, they were allayed
against Turkey.
1. The approach that mesmerises
with a version of the beautiful game based on pinpoint passing to carve
up defences, and which saw Spain claim two straight European titles and
a World Cup, re-emerged in a one-sided 3-0 triumph against the hapless
Turks.
2. Spain severely punished
opponents who tried to copy the Czechs by playing deep but lacked
discipline and had plenty of holes. The passing was sublime and resulted
in three fine goals in the most comprehensive victory at the tournament
so far.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, who believed he had the right tactics
against the Czechs despite the narrow victory, named an unchanged side
and lavished praise on the team after the 3-0 win. "Frankly, we are
playing really well," he said.
3. Spain had a passing accuracy
rate of 92 per cent and they completed 619 passes with midfield
maestros Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets outstanding
on the night.
He did not have to wait until the 87th minute to celebrate this time,
as had been the case on Monday when Iniesta set up Gerard Pique for the
only goal against the Czechs.
Turkey's defence failed to cope with Spain's fast and incisive
passing. Iniesta, voted Man of the Match for a second straight game,
created Spain's second goal when his pass to an unmarked Jordi Alba cut
Turkey's defence wide open.
Alba then fed the predatory Alvaro Morata, who fired into an empty net having already put Spain ahead.
4. To put on such a marvellous
show with the grandeur that Spain display would be worthless if the
build-up did not lead to goals, so what has to be equally encouraging is
that Del Bosque's squad appears to have the players to capitalise.
Morata, who once broke Real Madrid hearts with goals for Juventus in
their Champions League showdown of 2015, had the killer instinct and
finishing touch against Turkey.
"They said strikers could not score in this team," Morata said. "I
used to watch Spain play on TV and now I'm getting to enjoy playing with
this side. It's a dream."
The impressive Nolito also delivered on the big stage with Spain's
second goal, continuing what has been his own dream season after a
terrific year in La Liga with Celta Vigo.
The victory has done something else. It marked an historical
achievement as Spain became the first nation to win 100 games covering
European Championship qualifiers and finals.
No comments:
Post a Comment