Spain cruise past limp French..(Euro 2012)

It may not be football as we know it but a strikerless Spain remain on course to retain their
European Championship crown after progressing to the competition's last
four courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 win over France in Donetsk.

On his 100th appearance for the national side Xabi Alonso, one of six midfielders who started for the Spanish, was on target twice as Vicente del Bosque's side cruised into the semi-finals.
Alonso ghosted into France's box on 19 minutes to expertly head Jordi Alba's
clipped cross on the overlap into the ground and past Hugo Lloris,
before in stoppage time the deep-lying schemer calmly convert from the
penalty spot after Anthony Reveillere had clumsily upended substitute
Pedro.
The Real Madrid man's opener
was no more than Spain deserved for a first half in which a ragged
France side enjoyed just 34.9 per cent possession. Previously under
Laurent Blanc they had never recorded less than 49.3%.
After the interval a largely insipid France improved slightly as Blanc committed
more men forward, but a dearth of ideas in the final third ensured Spain
were never unduly unworried in a contest more in keeping with an end of
season dead rubber than a quarter-final tie of a major international tournament.