Euro 2012 Match by Match Group C
Match by Match Reports
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Knock Out Stages
There are no easy groups in this tournament and the Republic of Ireland will do well to qualify for the knock out stages with Spain and Italy strong favourites. Matches are played in north-west Poland. The beautiful 43,615 capacity PGE Arena Gdańsk is brand new and now home to Lechia Gdańsk. The Stadion Miejski (Municipal Stadium) in Poznań holds 43,269 in three tiers has been comprehensively rebuilt but from the outside it resembles a creeping woodlouse.
Spain
Italy
Spain 1 Italy 1
PGE Arena, Gdańsk (43,615)
Sunday 10 June 1700 BST
Spain played their familiar passing game and enjoyed most of the possession but it was the Italians who scored first thanks to Di Natale (60 mins). Spain hit back almost immediately and in the closing stages attacked relentlessly but were unable to find a winner.
Republic of Ireland
Croatia
Republic of Ireland 1 Croatia 3
Municipal Stadium, Poznań (43,200)
Sunday 10 June 1945 BST
Ireland fell behind two minutes from the start and although they managed an equalise mid way through the first half, Croatia asserted themselves as the game went on, finishing as deserved winners.
Italy
Croatia
Italy 1 Croatia 1
Municipal Stadium, Poznań (37,096)
Thursday 14 June 1700 BST
Italy were in charge for most of the game, taking the lead six minutes before half-time but they failed to capitalise and Croatia deserved their equaliser.
Spain
Republic of Ireland
Spain 4 Republic of Ireland 0
PGE Arena, Gdańsk (36,572)
Thursday 14 June 1945 BST
Ireland tried hard but were simply outclassed by Spain, who played with complete confidence, retaining possession, pressing when the Irish had the ball and stroking the ball to each other with consummate ease. This result means Ireland are eliminated.
Croatia
Spain
Croatia 0 Spain 1
PGE Arena, Gdańsk (38,371)
Monday 18 June 1945 BST
Spain looked nervy and unconvincing against a team that defended resolutely and sought to steal a goal on the counter-attack. A win for Croatia would have seen Spain go out and for periods in the second half it was Croatia who looked more likely to score. In the end Jesus Navas provided Spain with what they needed with two minutes left.
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Italy 2 Republic of Ireland 0
Municipal Stadium, Poznań (44,416)
Monday 18 June 1945 BST
Ireland were playing for their pride and put in a more convincing performance than in their previous games. Italy needed to win and hope that Spain would bet Croatia to go forward and in the end, that is what they achieved.
Match by Match Reports
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Knock Out Stages
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