Spain Vs Ukraine

Watched the best match ever since the start of the World Cup 2006 in Germany. Although the opening match had a surprising result, this match had the highest goals won so far.

Within 17 mins, Spain scored 2 goals at the 13th minute (Xabi Alonso) and 17th minute (David Villa). By the start of the second half, a player from Ukraine was sent off and Spain was given a penalty ball (David Villa) at the 48th minute and it went in! Towards the end of the match, another goal was scored (Fernando Torres) at the 81th minute and probably was the nicest goal of all.

Spain had really shocked the world this time as reports in newspapers looked down on them!!.

From TODAY: "Traditionally, Spain are the team who flatter to deceive. Every four years they turn up as pre-tournament favourites, flop miserably and then go home early" .

The game finally ended with a 4-0 scoreline and I think alot of people donated to charity again!!

Best of all, I watched this match coz there were two of my favourite players - Luis Garcia (1st picture below) and Xabi Alonso (2nd picture below). However, both of them were substituted by the middle of the second half, probably to preserve some energy for subsequent matches.



Summarised report from the World Cup 2006 website:

Spain made a dream start to their 2006 FIFA World Cup™ campaign with a 4-0 victory over Group H rivals Ukraine in Leipzig on Wednesday, 14 June 2006.

Having waited as long as any team to get their campaign under way, Spain raced out of the starting blocks and were two goals in front inside 17 minutes as Xabi Alonso headed a 13th-minute opener before David Villa doubled the advantage.

If Ukraine thought things could not get any worse they were wrong as they lost Vladyslav Vashchuk to a red card just three minutes into the second half after conceding a penalty for a challenge on Fernando Torres. Villa tucked away the spot-kick and Torres completed the scoring with a spectacular half-volley with nine minutes remaining.

In conclusion:
For just the second time since 1950, 12-times finalists Spain opened their FIFA World Cup campaign with a win. This was a comprehensive and impressive victory against first-timers Ukraine and should fill Luis Aragones's side with confidence. Ukraine's defeat means not one of the teams competing in the FIFA World Cup for the first time has yet managed a win.


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