MALAMPAKA.COM

Spain 1 Italy 1:

When will it end for Fernando Torres? The £50million striker thought he had endured a career low when left on the bench as Chelsea battled their way to the Champions League title in May, but at least he departed with a winner’s medal.

On Sunday, having again been left out as Spain preferred to play without a centre forward, he was brought on for what turned out to be another gruelling 15 minutes of fame.

Torres was presented with three chances in that period as Spain pressed for a winner that would have been harsh on Italy. Three times he was denied, on each occasion by himself rather than an Italian boot. At night he must stare at the ceiling and wonder about the certainty he once possessed.

Took their time: Spain equalised through Cesc Fabregas

Tidy: Fabregas tucked the ball home

MATCH FACTS

Spain: Casillas 6, Arbeloa 5, Pique 5, Sergio Ramos 5, Jordi Alba 5, Xavi 7, Busquets 6, Alonso 5, Silva 7 (Jesus Navas 65, 6), Fabregas 6 (Torres 74, 4),
Iniesta 8

Subs Not Used: Valdes, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran, Pedro, Negredo, Mata, Llorente, Santi Cazorla, Reina

Booked: Jordi Alba, Arbeloa, Torres

Goals: Fabregas 64

Italy: Buffon 6, Chiellini 6, De Rossi 6, Bonucci 5, Giaccherni 5, Marchisio 7, Pirlo 7, Thiago Motta 6 (Nocerino 89), Maggio 5, Cassano 7 (Giovinco 65, 6), Balotelli 6 (Di Natale 56 7)

Subs Not Used: Sirigu, Ogbonna Obienza, Balzaretti, Abate, Barzagli, Borini, Montolivo, Diamanti, De Sanctis

Booked: Balotelli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Maggio

Goals: Di Natale 60

Att: 43,615

Ref: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

‘What matters is not who plays centre forward, what matters is that Spain win,’ said a seemingly unperturbed Torres, who described the formation as ‘a good idea’.

Cesc Fabregas, the No 10 who effectively played at No 9 as Vicente del Bosque selected six midfielders in his 4-3-3 line-up, had scored the Spanish equaliser on 64 minutes. Around 10 more passed before Torres replaced him and, with his first involvement, was given a clear opportunity. His first touch was heavy; too heavy.

Next he dallied when again sent clear, choosing to pass backwards when in the Italy box. But it was the 85th-minute miss that will again confirm doubts about the 28-year-old. The man who scored the winner in the Euro 2008 final was given the ball 20 yards from goal by a typically strong midfield Spanish press.

Torres was suddenly free, with only Gianluigi Buffon to beat. He had time to think how to score and he had Jesus Navas as an alternative. Understandably, given Buffon was 10 yards off his line, Torres produced a chip. It is just that the execution verged on amateurish. All Spain heads sunk into their chests.

That was Spain’s moment to win a game that began slowly but which turned into an absorbing contest. Italy had been expected to offer much less — they entered the tournament with a new match-fixing scandal dragging behind them; they entered the game with three defenders and five men across midfield. Daniele De Rossi, normally a careering midfielder, was a centre half.

Opener: Antonio Di Natale broke the deadlock

But they gave as good as Spain could give to them. Not only did Thiago Motta come closest to scoring in the first half with a 44th-minute header well saved by Iker Casillas, Italy took the lead on the hour.

It might have been sooner. In the 54th minute Mario Balotelli robbed Sergio Ramos on the touchline and ran unchallenged towards the box and Casillas. He had time and started to take it, then he took some more. When it came to deciding whether to shoot or to pass to Antonio Cassano, Balotelli had taken so much time that Ramos got back and nicked the ball away. Two minutes later Balotelli was substituted.

Good work: Di Natale is congratulated

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli said after that the substitution was not a punishment for Balotelli’s dithering, but his decision was vindicated when Antonio Di Natale, Balotelli’s replacement, opened the scoring. Running on to Andrea Pirlo’s beautiful curling invitation, Di Natale provided a superb finish.

Spain were stung. For a couple of minutes they looked disorientated. But it was just for a couple of minutes. Andres Iniesta’s influence grew throughout the game and he once again drove at the Italian lines. Only a fingertip save by Buffon on 51 minutes had stopped Iniesta, now he released the ball to David Silva, who flicked it first time with the outside of his boot to Fabregas and the former Arsenal man swept the ball in. It was a cracking goal.

Frustrated: Mario Balotelli missed a glorious opportunity by dilly-dallying with the ball

Mess: Fernando Torres made a hash of his chances

A different Italy would have funnelled backwards after that and chiselled out a point. But Prandelli has tried to encourage a more expansive style and the match opened up. Spain may have thought they were about to dominate but it was Di Natale who volleyed wide from a great cross by Sebastian Giovinco.

It was then that Torres’s night began. It ended with him traipsing off, surely concerned that he will not be picked to face the Republic of Ireland here on Thursday.

Taking names: Georgio Chiellini is booked

Del Bosque defended the use of Fabregas and insisted the 74th minute was ‘the ideal moment’ to introduce Torres. What it did reveal afresh was the absence of the injured David Villa, just as Italy’s goal showed up the absence of Carles Puyol.

Spain have to find ways of coping if they are to retain their title. Whether Fernando Torres ever becomes part of the answer again is another matter.