Euro 2012: Spain Thrashes Ireland 4-0
By RT
Spain have thrashed Ireland 4-0 to take lead of their group at the Euro 2012. With Hibernian officially out of the tournament, Croatia and Italy could still able to leapfrog the reigning World and European champs in the fight for playoffs.
The Spaniards effectively had no problems in their game against Ireland in Gdansk. Fernando Torres broke the deadlock already on the 4th minute as Vicente del Bosque’s charges were steadily pushing the tempo.
Their dominance brought them three more goals in the second half. First David Silva doubled the lead, elegantly firing home a hidden shot, then Torres converted a one-on-one attempt, before Cesc Fabregas fixed the final score at 4-0.
Despite the loss, thousands of Irish fans warmly welcomed the team on the stands after the game. Ireland hasn’t qualified to the major European competition since 1988, and just playing in Poland was a big achievement for Robbie Keane, Shay Given and rest of the squad.
