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Alonso double sees off France
It was clear when Vincente del Bosque chose to go with another striker-less formation that one of Spain’s star midfielders would have to step up to the plate and the Real Madrid man didn’t disappoint.
The game started slowly with Cesc Fabegras having a very hopeful penalty shout turned down on six minutes before Xabi Alonso tried to catch Lloris out with a long range effort.
It was Alonso however who opened the scoring on 19 minutes when Jordi Alba lost his marker and produced a perfect cross from the left wing. The former Liverpool midfielder duly arrived unmarked and his downward header across goal gave Lloris no chance.
Spain, who have always been favourites for Euro 2012, looked set to double their lead on 28 minutes when Fabregas slid in Iniesta but his shot was blocked when it seemed destined to nestle in the bottom corner.
France’s two chances in the first period both came from free kicks: the ineffective Benzema hit the first some way over the bar but Yohan Cabaye’s effort was destined for the top corner until Casillas intervened.
With Franck Ribery starting to grow into the game as the first half drew to an end you began to feel that del Bosque’s men may ultimately live to regret the fact they had failed to convert all their possession into a greater advantage.
In truth, the second half failed to cough back into life and while it was a more even affair, it was also scrappy and somewhat subdued. Spain’s best chance came when Fabregas was played in on goal but Lloris was quick off his line to deny any opportunity for the makeshift striker.
Both sides made attacking changes with Menez and Nasri coming on for the French while Fernando Torres was introduced on 67 minutes as Spain went in search of the goal that would kill off the game. However, none of these changes seem to spark any life into the game as it continued to drift to its conclusion.
Finally, as the game approached injury time, Pedro went down in the box and Alonso gave Lloris no chance from the resulting penalty.
Spain hadn’t been at their brilliant best but did enough against a lacklustre French side who never showed any real urgency. Del Bosque’s men will no doubt be expecting a much sterner test against a Ronaldo-inspired Portugal in the semis.