Spain equalled their national record with a ninth straight victory, ensuring holders Greece go out without a single point.

The Iberians made a total of 10 changes from the team that beat Sweden, resting the likes of David Villa, Fernando Torres and Iker Casillas on top of the injuries to Carles Puyol and Xavi. Greece’s changes were more restricted as they bid to go out of the tournament with some pride intact despite their early exit.

The game started at an even balance, although the Greeks were clearly the more determined of the two sides. Neither team could find an opening, but Ruben De La Red and Traianos Dellas both failed to make the most of their half-chances resulting from set-pieces.

Free-kicks and corners continued to provide the closest thing to a scoring opportunity as both teams made some clumsy fouls. It took over 20 minutes for the goalkeepers to really be troubled, though.

Xabi Alonso spotted veteran Greek captain Antonis Nikopolidis, who had announced that he will retire from international football following this game, off his line and came close with an ambitious attempt at a lob from just inside his own half.

Seven minutes later it was again Alonso that threatened as he pushed forward from his holding midfield position, as his low shot from the edge of the penalty area bouncing just wide of the far post. The Liverpool star then went close a third time with an almost identical effort after Cesc Fabregas had laid off a free-kick into his path.

Sergio Garcia had a penalty claim waved away by referee Howard Webb, but it was Greece that opened the scoring five minutes before half-time. Giorgos Karagounis floated a set-piece into the box and Angelos Charisteas found himself with a free header. He made no mistake from his central position, scoring the Pirate Ship’s first goal of the tournament.

That strike saw the Greeks go in at the break a goal up despite Spain’s domination of possession, although in truth it was a scrappy half and La Furia Roja’s second string were punished for giving away so many free-kicks in dangerous positions.

After an uneventful first 10 minutes of the second half, Alonso showed once again how dangerous he can be from long range. The 26-year-old lined up the ball from 30 metres and his powerful strike thundered back off the top of the left-hand post with Nikopolidis well beaten.

Spain Coach Luis Aragones showed his cautious approach to this match after 58 minutes, when he took off the only player remaining from their first-team. Andres Iniesta was substituted for Santi Cazorla, meaning there were no players remaining on pitch from their usual starting XI.

La Furia Roja were soon level though. A high ball towards the penalty area was knocked back into the path of De La Red by Daniel Guiza, and the Getafe midfielder drilled it low towards goal. Nikopolidis did well to get a hand to the ball, but could do nothing to stop the powerful rocket from finding the back of the net.

Greece almost responded immediately through Charisteas, but the striker could only hit the side netting from a tight angle after rounding goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

However, it was La Seleccion who continued to dominate proceedings and Guiza, De La Red and Sergio Garcia all wasted good chances to give Spain the lead. Giannis Amanatidis ghosted towards the back post unmarked, but couldn’t bring the cross-field pass under control and lofted his half-volley well over the bar in acres of space in the Spanish penalty area.

The Reds struck again with two minutes remaining to spare the blushes of the players who had failed to take their chances. Guiza shrugged off his marker as Sergio Garcia sent a high cross into the penalty area and was left with a simple header from close range to ensure Spain will go into the quarter-finals with their 100 per cent record intact. Greece on the other hand, were left shaking their heads as their title defence ended at the first hurdle without earning a single point from Group D.
Greece: Nikopolidis; Vintra, Kyrgiakos (Antzas 63), Dellas, Spiropoulos; Basinas, Katsouranis; Salpingidis (Giannakopoulos 86), Karagounis (Tzolis 73), Amanatidis; Charisteas

Spain: Reina; Arbeloa, Albiol, Juanito, Fernando Navarro; de la Red, Xabi Alonso; Sergio Garcia, Fabregas, Iniesta (Santi Cazorla 58); Guiza

Ref: Webb (Eng)

Ref From channel4.com