Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has defended his decision to start without a striker in their 1-1 Euro 2012 draw against Italy and suggested he might use the same tactic for Thursday's Group C clash with Ireland.
Spain will go into Sunday's Group C opener against old foes Italy with a swagger that was missing from past encounters after a pivotal moment in their rivalry four years ago.
Imperious Spain took their place among the game's greats in vintage style by thrashing Italy 4-0 to become the first team to win successive European Championship titles on Sunday.
Portugal had planned for Cristiano Ronaldo to take the fifth penalty that never was, coach Paulo Bento said after his team's 4-2 shootout defeat by Spain in Wednesday's Euro 2012 semi-final.
Not even a mucky night more akin to November in Dublin or the will of 20,000 passionate green-shirted fans could hide the gulf in class as Fernando Torres scored twice to ease holders Spain to a 4-0 win over Ireland at Euro 2012 on Thursday.
Spain spoiled the Irish party in Gdansk when a rejuvenated Fernando Torres netted twice in a crushing 4-0 Group C victory that eliminated Giovanni Trapattoni's side from Euro 2012.
Cesc Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic struck late goals to earn improving champions Chelsea a 2-1 victory at Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Barcelona's fading hopes of capturing a fourth consecutive La Liga crown suffered a major setback when they lost 3-2 at Osasuna on Saturday to leave Real Madrid seven points clear at the top with a game in hand.
Chelsea's Brazil playmaker Oscar was taken to hospital after being clattered by Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina during the 0-0 Premier League draw at the Emirates on Sunday.
Hazard collected 53 percent of the vote making him a comfortable winner, while he and Terry's Chelsea team mates Cesc Fabregas, Branislav Ivanovic and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also featured in the top 10.
"I cannot understand what the official behind the goal does because he doesn't make a clear decision too."
Robin van Persie has emerged as the man to lead Arsenal out of their early-season funk and the Dutch striker will be a key figure in ensuring their rehabilitation continues in the Champions League at home to Olympiakos on Wednesday.
In a year when the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan made big ticket moves, there were some footballers who surprised us with their decisions.
Lionel Messi scored two wonder goals as European champions Barcelona thrashed Brazil's Santos 4-0 to win their second Club World Cup in two years on Sunday.
Both Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger have paid the price for leaving it too late, offloading a lot of key players at the EPL transfers, says Manu Shankar.
Jose Mourinho attributed a large part of Barcelona's 3-1 'Clasico' victory at the Bernabeu on Saturday to luck and dismissed the idea that it would damage his side's morale in the La Liga title race.
Arsenal have become the first Premier League club to reach five million followers on Twitter.
Arsenal handed the Premier League initiative back to leaders Manchester United on Saturday with a limp performance in a goalless home draw against a Sunderland side who had lost their previous four games.
A hat-trick by Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to an 8-0 rout of Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday as the champions responded with a devastating performance after a poor week by their high standards.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger announced on Friday that he will step down from his role at the Premier League club at the end of the season after almost 22 years at the helm.
Neymar played 'cat-and-mouse' with Barcelona during the close-season before his move to Paris St Germain, Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre has said.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was charged with misconduct by the FA on Thursday following comments he made about referee Anthony Taylor.
European and La Liga champions Barcelona held arch-rivals Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday.
Arsenal's Premier League title hopes suffered another blow when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Tottenham Hotspur in a pulsating north London derby on Wednesday.
Failing to sign Cristiano Ronaldo is outgoing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's biggest transfer regret
Arsenal battled to overcome a resilient Ipswich Town 3-0 on Tuesday before reaching the League Cup final where Arsene Wenger's men will hope to end their six-year wait for a trophy.
Arsenal subdued a spirited Leeds United to reach the FA Cup fourth round with a 3-1 victory in a lively third-round replay at Elland Road on Wednesday.
Arsene Wenger was left glowing with pride at the performance of his young team in Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester United -- a week after the world seemed united in telling him he needed to buy in some experience.
Chelsea captain John Terry went from zero to hero, first netting an own goal but eventually coming up with a 98th minute equaliser in an extraordinary 3-3 draw with Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. Manager Guus Hiddink's unbeaten record survived after an amazing match that saw his side fall two goals behind soon after halftime, fight back to 2-2 and then seemingly throw away the points with poor defending which saw Everton sub Ramiro Funes Mori score in the 90th minute.
Andres Iniesta took his penchant for scoring dramatic goals to new heights on Sunday when the midfielder smashed home the winner deep into extra time to give Spain their first World Cup triumph.
Real Madrid are still chasing Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, sporting director Miguel Pardeza said on Friday. He also added that the club is looking at alternatives to Alonso but Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is not a target.
Darren Bent scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to earn Sunderland a 1-1 home draw after 10-man Arsenal had scored a freak goal but also missed a penalty in a thunderous Premier League clash on Saturday.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was fuming after his team were denied what he described as a 'Big Ben' penalty.
Youngsters Theo Walcott and Bojan Krkic could take centre stage when Arsenal visit Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.
Lionel Messi wanted Maradona to stay on as Argentina coach and is looking forward to playing in the same club side as Spain's Cesc Fabregas one day, the Barcelona forward said on Thursday.
Images from the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and Netherlands in Johannesburg, on Sunday.
Andres Iniesta's goal deep into extra-time to give Spain the World Cup for the first time after a 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Sunday's final.
First-half goals by Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi earned Arsenal a first win in four league games to revive their Premier League title hopes in the early kickoff at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Chelsea plucked a performance straight from the Jose Mourinho textbook -- with John Terry writing a chapter all of his own -- as they grafted to a 0-0 draw at Arsenal on Sunday that leaves them almost certain to claim the title.
Arsene Wenger gets another chance to finally beat his old nemesis and keep the Premier League title race alive for a little longer when Arsenal host leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
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