Alonso scores twice to gift Spain 2-0 win over France

 DONETSK, Ukraine, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Xabi Alonso's powerful header and penalty kick helped World Cup and Euro champions Spain beat France 2-0 in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals here on Saturday night.

In the 19th minute, France's two right-backs were beaten by Jordi Alba, from Andres Iniesta's pass, and Alba pulled out a perfect chipped cross to Alonso at the far-post to head home.

In injury time, Anthony Reveillere tackled down Pedro in the box to concede a penalty. Alonso sent keeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way to seal the win.

It was Alonso's 100th international cap and he was named the Man of the Match.

Spain had never beaten France in the World Cup and Euro Championship history. They broke the jinx tonight and extended their unbeaten run in the competitive games to 18 after they lost 1-0 to Switzerland in the 2010 World Cup group stage.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said after the match, "We want the possession of ball to create scoring chances. We are in control most of the time."

Spain almost dominated the duel¹ with their accurate passes and crosses. They boasted 60 percent of ball possession in the first half and 55 percent in full time.

"I don't want to talk about a particular player. It is good work of the whole team," Bosque noted².

Bosque reverted³ to his strikerless starting formation, replacing Fernando Torres with Cesc Fabregas in his only change from the win against Croatia. France made four changes and started with two right-backs in Reveillere and Mathieu Debuchy, although neither could prevent Alba supplying Alonso with a telling cross.

France had barely tested the Spanish defence and Karim Benzema wasted a 25-yard free-kick by lofting⁴ it so high over the bar that Yohan Cabaye took over for the next one. The Newcastle midfielder did much better, forcing Iker Casillas into a smart one-handed save just under his crossbar.

While France sent on Samir Nasri and Jeremy Menez in the 65th minute, Spain introduced Pedro and Torres, who would have combined to double the lead after another beautifully-crafted attack had Koscielny not been on hand with another timely interception⁵.

France coach Laurent Blanc said at the post-match press conference,"Spain's left wing is stronger. We planned to stop them on this side. They had only one cross from this side in the first half. But they scored."

"We watched a lot of videos. We want to put them under pressure, but they earned the lead in 20 minutes," Blanc added.

"We have less ball possession. It is very difficult to create chances, the clear-cut chances in particular," he admitted.

Spain will take on Portugal, who edged the Czech Republic 1-0, in the semifinal.

Bosque said,"It will be a difficult match against Portugal. They have two days more to rest."

1 duel   

n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争

参考例句：

• The two teams are locked in a duel for first place.两个队为争夺第一名打得难解难分。
• Duroy was forced to challenge his disparager to duel.杜洛瓦不得不向诋毁他的人提出决斗。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 reverted   

恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还

参考例句：

• After the settlers left, the area reverted to desert. 早期移民离开之后，这个地区又变成了一片沙漠。
• After his death the house reverted to its original owner. 他死后房子归还给了原先的主人。

4 lofting   

放样，理论模线的绘制

参考例句：

• A: Please check up. Is my lofting method correct? 请检查一下，我的放样方法对吗？
• Aircraft lofting digital mode definition analysis, aircraft lofting expression and design concepts. 分析飞机外形数字化定义的模式，提出飞机外形表示方法和设计方法的概念。

5 interception   

n.拦截；截击；截取；截住，截断；窃听

参考例句：

• Aerial photography can provide valuable information on precipitation, evapotraspiration, interception, and runoff. 航空摄影可提供有关降水量、蒸发蒸腾量、入渗和径流量的有价值的资料。
• Light interception and distribution in hedgerow orchards with different alleyway widths is indicated in Fig. 56. 图56显示篱壁果园不同行间宽度的光能截取和分配的情况。