By MSN’s Lee Harvey
Last updated: June 23 2006
Day 15: Spain win the group and Ukraine qualify after a snoozefest with Tunisia
While Spain’s two victories had already assured them of a place in the knockout stages, any one of their Group H counterparts could join them in the second round. Ukraine were in the box seat. A draw would be enough for them providing Saudi Arabia didn’t inflict a highly improbable heavy defeat on the group leaders. Tunisia simply had to win.
Ukraine 1 – 0 Tunisia
A tense (ie very dull) game that never really got going. It may have been the worst game of the tournament. Ukraine showed some early attacking intent but it didn’t last. It took Ziad Jaziri (a man who augments his football income by advertising yoghurt on Tunisian TV) only eight minutes to get booked for diving.
Despite keeping the ball well in defence and midfield, neither team appeared able to play a telling pass in the final third of the pitch. Ukraine resorted to long balls that were easily dealt with (where have I seen that before?). Just as Sepp Blatter appeared to be falling asleep in the corporate seats, the referee lifted the torpor by sending off Jaziri for a late challenge.
The second half was equally woeful. Even with the extra man, Ukraine refused to press forward and look for the win and the slow play drew derisive whistles from the 72,000 fans.
The decisive goal came when Shevchenko went down in the box under pressure from Jaidi and Haggui. The Chelsea-bound striker converted the spot kick and left Tunisia with no way back.
The rest of the game passed without incident.
Saudi Arabia 0 – 1 Spain Reserves
Luis Aragones showed the appropriate level of respect for the Saudi Arabia side by picking an entirely new team for this match. In fairness, the eleven changes he made did more to showcase the impressive depth of his squad.
While Spain controlled the action from the start, the real highlight of the first half was the Saudi defender Khaled Aziz attempting a backheel on the edge of his own penalty area and succeeding only in injuring his hamstring and being immediately substituted.
Following good shots from Albelda and Joaquin, Spain eventually opened the scoring from a set piece. Defender Juanito produced a bullet header from Reyes’ flighted free kick.
Enjoying nearly two thirds of the possession, Spain continued to dominate. A rare second half Saudi chance forced a good save from the prematurely-grey Canizares and prompted Aragones to make some changes. On came Xavi and Torres but they could not find the killer second goal.
The Saudis still found time to waste a chance to go out on a high when, in the dying minutes, Saad Al Harthi hit Row Z from 10 yards out. If there was a worse team in Germany these last two weeks, I must have missed them.
Useful links
Group H final table
