Euro 2012: Portugal to Face the Defending Champions Spain in First SemiFinal Match at Donetsk
Donetsk(Ukraine); June 27, 2012:
The defending champions of Euro cup and World champion team Spain will face Christiano Ronaldo's Portugal in a crucial Semifinal encounter on Wednesday at Donbass Arena in Donetsk.
Both teams have shown and excellent display of game in their previous matches and with both teams equipped with star players, and playing in such an important match, it would really be a treat for football fans all over the world.
Spain are still undefeated in the tournament and topped the group table with 7 points. Spain managed to draw their first match against Italy, but swept Republic of Ireland 4-0 in their next match and in the last group stage match defeated Croatia 1-0. While in the quarterfinals, Spain defeated France 2-0 to enter the semis of Euro 2012.
Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fàbregas and Fernando Torres have scored two goal each while Jesús Navas and David Silva have scored one goal each for Spain.
While on the other side Portugal have managed to qualify for semis with their captain Christiano Ronaldo shining in the last two matches. Portugal's along with Germany are the survivors of Group B also called as 'The Group of Death.' Portugal last their first match against Germany, but won their next two group stage matches by defeating Denmark 3-2 and the Netherlands by 2-1. Portugal defeated the Czech's in the quarterfinal match and thus qualifying for the semis.
Cristiano Ronaldo is top scorer for Portugal with 3 goals in the last two match while Pepe, Hélder Postiga and Silvestre Varela have scored one goal each for their team.
In previous meetings both these two teams have met each other 34 times with Spain winning 16 matches while Portugal winning only 6 matches. 12 matches have ended in draw. But in last 12 meetings Spain have managed to win only 2 matches.
Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 in the last-16 match of Fifa world cup 2010, thus crashing them out of tournament.
But four months later Portugal got their revenge and defeated the World champions 4-0 in the last meeting at Lisbon. This was the heaviest defeat for Spain in 47 years.
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