Elsewhere, Fran Merida was back in Spain’s starting line-up for the match against Hungary. The Arsenal man played on the left in a three-man midfield as Spain, needing a win to rescue their tournament after defeat in their first fixture against Germany, went for broke.
Indeed it was the Spanish who appeared the most creative with Merida the hub. But Hungary are a tidy outfit and, utilising Liverpool youngster Krisztian Nemeth up front, caused problems on the counter-attack. Merida was a shining light of the Iberian raids and continued to create openings, but, as with the England game, a lack of cohesion in front goal meant half-time arrived without the scorers being troubled.
There was more of the same after the interval as Merida exhibited all the qualities required to succeed in the Premier League; his incisive passing and powerful surges with the ball was a joy to watch. However the youngster is short of fitness and was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining.
Impetus didn’t drop, though. Aaron Niguez and Nemeth both went close before the deadlock was broken from an unlikely source. Hungary’s Olivier Nagy found himself unchaperoned in the box and duly prodded home the goal that would send Spain crashing out of the competition.
Indeed it was the Spanish who appeared the most creative with Merida the hub. But Hungary are a tidy outfit and, utilising Liverpool youngster Krisztian Nemeth up front, caused problems on the counter-attack. Merida was a shining light of the Iberian raids and continued to create openings, but, as with the England game, a lack of cohesion in front goal meant half-time arrived without the scorers being troubled.
There was more of the same after the interval as Merida exhibited all the qualities required to succeed in the Premier League; his incisive passing and powerful surges with the ball was a joy to watch. However the youngster is short of fitness and was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining.
Impetus didn’t drop, though. Aaron Niguez and Nemeth both went close before the deadlock was broken from an unlikely source. Hungary’s Olivier Nagy found himself unchaperoned in the box and duly prodded home the goal that would send Spain crashing out of the competition.
