Perfect Spain beat Greece 2-1
Wednesday, 18 Jun 2008 22:16
Angelos Charisteas had put the European champions ahead
Spain came from behind to beat Greece 2-1 in Salzburg and maintain their perfect start to Euro 2008.
With qualification as group D winners and a quarter-final tie against Italy confirmed, Spanish coach Luis Aragones was able to make ten changes to the side that beat Sweden as they took on a Greek side already condemned to an early exit.
However, it was the reigning champions who took the lead first as Angelos Charisteas latched onto the end of an inswinging Giorgios Karagounis free-kick to head past
Liverpool's Pepe Reina in the Spanish goal.
England's Howard Webb then took centre stage just prior to the break, waving away appeals for a penalty after Andres Iniesta went down in the Greek box before having to calm an enraged Karagounis who felt the Spanish players took the decision out on him by kicking the ball directly at his head while he lay on the turf.
Xavi Alonso, making a case for his selection in the knockout rounds, nearly drew his country level with an audacious effort from within his own half, which Antonis Nikopolidis bumped his head into the post seeing wide.
Spain came out at half-time determined to keep their winning momentum going and, after Alonso crashed a 35-yard shot against the woodwork, Ruven De la Red went one better and belted the ball home against the underside of the bar to level things.
They then stole all three points with just two minutes remaining as Sergio Garcia crossed in for Daniel Guiza to head in from close range at the near post and leave Greece without a single point in the tournament.