Valeron’s midas touch puts Spain one step closer

12/6 – The 2nd game of the tournament proved to be just as exciting as the first as the Spanish team defeated the Russians 1- 0 at the Estádio do Dragăo.

Initially Spanish team settled in quickly to pressure the Russian goal with Morientes and Raul troubling the Russian defence. However the Russians soon settled and many chances went begging when Marat Izmailov's having multiple chances in front of goal going astray.

The Russians ended up dominating the rest of the half as Alenichev weaved through the Spanish defence but Spains keeper Casillas was up to the task with blocking chips and strikes on goal by the Russian Star.

After the break the Spanish team again dominated, but with no success. It was only until Juan Carlos Valerón substitution at the 60th minute mark that the Spanish team took the lead in the game. A low cross pass from Puyol to Valeron provided the Spanish team first and only goal to be scored for the game. Valeron, only being on the ground for 36 seconds, coolly sealed the game with left kick from close range.

While the Russians persisted toward goal, Russia’s Roman Sharonov receiving a 2nd yellow card to put Russian down to 10 men and out of the game. Spain’s Raul almost scored a second, but the day had been won as Spain moved one step closer to a quarterfinal berth.

Written by Peter Fiasco - reporting for UniXL

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