Euro 2012: Scotland fall short against Spain
A battling Scotland lost 3-2 to Spain at Hampden Park in a pulsating contest.
Steven Whittaker’s handball shortly before half time was punished by star striker David Villa, who slotted home from the penalty spot, and the visitors’ lead increased when Andres Iniesta side-footed home just after the break.
However Scotland roared back, and after Steven Naismith stooped to head in Kenny Miller’s cross, the Scots incredibly drew level when Gerard Pique diverted a James Morrison cross into his own net.
The Spanish rallied though, and substitute Fernando Llorente profited from a Stephen McManus error to win it with 11 minutes remaining, before Whittaker received his second booking just a minute from time.
Elsewhere, Wales’ miserable campaign continued as they lost 4-1 to Switzerland in Basel.
Caretaker boss Brian Flynn saw his hopes of the permanent job surely disappear on a wretched night, as Valentin Stocker headed the hosts in front early on.
The impressive Gareth Bale levelled, before an unmarked Marco Streller put the hosts back in front, and a controversial Gokhan Inler penalty and Stocker completed the win.
Robbie Keane missed a penalty as the Republic of Ireland drew in Slovakia.
Sean St Ledger prodded home a close range effort to give the Republic the lead in Žilina, but Jan Durica’s effort resulted in a share of the spoils.
Everton goalkeeper Jan Mucha saved Keane’s weak penalty on the stroke of half time, and despite the visitors being on the back foot for the majority of the match, skipper Keane missed another glorious chance late on.
Kyle Lafferty’s strike 14 minutes from time saved Northern Ireland from an embarrassing loss in the Faroe Islands, where the clash finished 1-1 after Christian Holst had given the hosts the lead after the hour mark.
http://www.senore.com/Euro-2012-England-v-Montenegro-full-time-report-a33454http://www.senore.com/Handball-He-might-as-well-have-caught-it-a33465
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