Fernando Torres is at the double as Spain eliminate Republic of Ireland with a crushing 4-0 victory. David Silva picks up a goal and pair of assists in the rout while, in Group C’s early kick-off, Italy and Croatia share the spoils after Mario Mandzukic cancels out Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick opener:
Italy 1 Croatia 1
For yesterday’s clash with Croatia, Cesare Prandelli kept faith with the same starting XI that drew against Spain last Sunday. Andrea Pirlo picked up the points for the second match in a row – the 8.0 priced midfielder added to his assist against Spain by firing home a direct free-kick to give his side the lead and now has 13 points to his name in the McDonald’s game, seven more than any other Italian player. Antonio Cassano was unlucky not to get amongst the points – he had two shots and created four goalscoring opportunities, while Mario Balotelli’s five attempts was more than any team mate, though midfielder Claudio Marchisio also impressed going forward, firing off four shots.
Intriguingly, Prandelli has now subbed off the same three players in each of the two Group C matches. Thiago Motta, Balotelli and Cassano all made way midway through the second half, suggesting the Italy manager is clearly intent on refreshing his attacking options as the opposition begins to tire. Italy now need a win against Republic of Ireland to stand any chance of reaching the knockouts, though amongst many other permutations, a 2-2 in the Spain-Croatia match would eliminate the Azzurri, even if they defeat the Irish.
Slaven Bilic’s side was also unchanged, with Mario Mandzukic up front alongside Nikica Jelavic once again. Mandzukic, an out-of-position midfielder in the McDonald’s game, took his goal tally to three in two fixtures after notching his side’s equaliser on 72 minutes as Croatia took the match to their opponents after the break – his price has already risen to 6.1 since the start of the tournament but a further increase is surely on the cards again.
Ivan Strinic is another cut-price Croatian Fantasy asset who produced the goods yesterday. Costing just 4.0 in the McDonald’s game, he was thought of as no more than a squad filler by many but his display at left-back justified his inclusion ahead of Danijel Pranjic for Bilic’s side. Strinic had two attempts at goal and created three goalscoring opportunities for his team mates, picking up an assist for Mandzukic’s headed equaliser. Croatia now sit on four points but a defeat against Spain, combined with a win for Italy against Ireland, would be enough to send them home along with Giovanni Trapattoni’s men.
Spain 4 Republic of Ireland 0
There was no false nine for Spain last night – this time, the real one turned up. Cesc Fabregas made way for Fernando Torres in the only change to Vicente Del Bosque’s lineup as the defending champions tore into Republic of Ireland from the off. Torres took advantage off some slack defending and vindicated his selection by firing past Shay Given with less than four minutes on the clock – before the game was out, he’d added a second to pick up a 10 point return. With his starting role now looking a little more assured, Torres – priced at just 8.5 in the McDonald’s game – is sure to pick up plenty Fantasy suitors after last night’s display.
David Silva is a far pricier forward option at 10.5 but has now played a part in four of Spain’s five goals so far and still looks strong value, despite the cost. The City playmaker provided the assist for Fabregas’ equaliser against Italy and followed that up last night with a goal, two assists and five recovered balls against the Irish for a 13 point return – he is now the top-scoring forward in the McDonald’s game to date. Fabregas owners were more than a little worried after he dropped to the bench – the former Arsenal man had risen to 8.6 on the back of his goal against Italy but, despite a mere 16 minutes on the pitch last night, he still managed a six point return after hammering the fourth past Shay Given; Torres’ performance must surely put his game time at risk for the Croatia game, however, with Del Bosque promising post-match he won’t be holding back in Monday’s final Group C match.
For Republic of Ireland, the party is already over. Giovanni Trapattoni made one change to his starting XI, with Simon Cox preferred to Kevin Doyle alongside Robbie Keane up front. The alteration made no difference, as Ireland were simply overwhelmed by their vastly superior opponents – Shay Given made 11 saves to keep the scoreline down, with his Fantasy owners picking up a three point return.
Wide men Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady mirrored Given’s score due to the recovered balls rule but, with Ireland now out of the competition, their Fantasy assets look likely to be sold off over the next day or so, with the prices of their most popular players likely to drop. Trapattoni could well turn to the likes of James McClean on the flank or Shane Long as a partner for Keane up front as he contemplates shuffling his pack ahead of the showdown with his native Italy.
