© EuroFootball.com
Another team that secured a spot in the round of 16 became the Spanish national team, who after a tough battle in the H group match on Tuesday, defeated the Tunisian team at the end of the match and earned their second victory, securing first place in the group.
Gottlieb Daimler Stadium in Stuttgart, 52000 spectators Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil) Spain 3 - 1 Tunisia 8' [0 - 1] Joahar Mnari 72' [1 - 1] Raul Gonzalez Blanco 79' [2 - 1] Fernando Torres 90' [3 - 1] Fernando Torres (penalty) Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Pablo, Pernia, Xavi, Alonso, Senna (45‘ Fabregas), Luis Garcia (45‘ Raul), Torres, Villa (56‘ Joaquin). Tunisia: Boumnijel, Haggui, Jaidi, Ayari (56‘ Yahia), Trabelsi, Mnari, Bouazizi (56‘ Ghodhbane), Chedli (79‘ Gmamdia), Namouchi, Nafti, Jaziri. Both teams started the match actively. In the 5th minute of the match, David Villa's powerful shot passed just next to the post. Meanwhile, the first attack by the Tunisian national team ended with a goal - in the 8th minute Zaidi Jaziri made his way into the penalty area and passed the ball to Joahar Mnari, whose first shot was unsuccessfully blocked by the Spanish national team goalkeeper Iker Casillas, but the Tunisian player took advantage of the second opportunity and sensationally put the Africans ahead. After conceding the goal, the Spaniards immediately started pressing the opponents and completely took control of the ball, but it took them some time to break the organized defense of the opponents. Often, the Spanish team's players were stopped by fouls, but neither Luis Garcia nor Fernando Torres were able to direct the lifted balls into the net after earning free kicks in the penalty area. The latter had perhaps the most realistic chance to equalize the score at the end of the first half, but he failed to convert, so the "Carthage Eagles," who worked well in defense, maintained their lead after the first half. In the second half, Raul came onto the field, replacing Luis Garcia, and Cesc Fabregas replaced Marcos Senna. Luis Aragones strengthened the attack of the Spanish national team. One of the most dangerous situations near the Tunisian goal occurred in the 61st minute of the match when Mariano Pernia's powerful shot passed just next to the post. Finally, in the 71st minute of the match, after a substitution, Raul managed to break through the opponents' goal and equalize the score. Although the goalkeeper saved Fabregas's shot, defender Hatem Trabelsi did not protect Raul and allowed the Spanish player to take a second shot and he took advantage of the chance. Just a few minutes later, Ali Boumnijel brilliantly saved a powerful shot from Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniards besieged the opponents' goal and a few minutes later Fernando Torres received a pass from midfield, broke away from the goalkeeper, and deceived him to score his second goal in the World Cup. Tunisia's coach Roger Lemerre tried to strengthen the attack and save the match by releasing forward Haykel Gmamdia in the 79th minute, but they failed to create any dangerous opportunities, and in the 90th minute, Fernando Torres converted his earned penalty to seal Spain's victory and became the top scorer of the World Cup after two matches. Statistics: Spain - Tunisia Ball possession 61% 39% Goals 3 1 Shots 23 4 Shots on goal 9 3 Blocked shots 2 7 Corners 12 1 Fouls 11 21 Offsides 1 4 Yellow cards 1 6 Lost balls 48 49 Short passes 387 134
