MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 05:16:22| >> :600:90263:90263:

Half-Time Report: Spain 2-0 Italy

Half-Time Report: Spain 2-0 Italy
© PA Photos
Goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba give holders Spain a 2-0 half-time lead over Italy in the Euro 2012 final in Kiev.

Goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba have given holders Spain a 2-0 half-time lead over Italy in tonight's Euro 2012 final at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

The defending champions started brightly and had their first attempt at goal after only five minutes when Sergio Ramos blasted a free kick over the crossbar.

If that effort was wayward, the defender came much closer minutes later when he headed narrowly over from a corner.

Spain continued to dominate and nearly took the lead through Xavi Hernandez, but the midfielder fired high after a neat passing move around the penalty area.

They were eventually rewarded for their pressure in the 13th minute as Silva got across his marker to head in Cesc Fabregas's clever cross.

It got worse for Italy soon after as the injured Giorgio Chiellini was taken off in place of Federico Balzaretti.

Despite going behind, Italy began to force the issue as Antonio Cassan had two shots saved by Iker Casillas.

The first was a tame drive through the defender's legs, but his second had to be pushed away down low by the Spanish captain.

However, Spain doubled their lead five minutes before the break when Jordi Alba calmly slotted after collecting Xavi's incisive pass.

ID:32830: cacheID:32830:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2095:
Written by
Jack Prescott
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Cesc Fabregas
Read Next:
Team News: Fabregas recalled by Spain
>
Read more about Spain Italy Euro 2012 Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!