Scandinavia off to dream start!
In one of the opening games of the FM Base Internationals Tournament, the Scandinavians kicked off against the Irish in a spirited affair. In a battle feauturing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, it ended up being a battle between the two goalkeepers.
Early on, the Scandinavians took control of the game, pumping several dangerous crosses into the box without creating any big chances. As the game evened out, the Irish took over, lead by a fighting James McCarthy.
However, during this dull spell, the Scandinavians worked the ball forward to Carlos Tevez, who chipped it up to Ronaldo. He helplessly headed the ball goalwards from 16 yards, in an effort that looked more like a backpass...
But as Buffon was a bystander, along with the rest of the Irish defence. Arjen Robben rushed in to volley it home from a tight angle. 1-0 to the Vikings.
Robben picked up a slight knock soon after, and was replaced by Daniele de Rossi. The experienced Italian looking to take control of the midfield battle. The game became a tight faught battle, with both teams creating chances, but David De Gea looked unbeatable in the Scandinavian goal. Both Messi and Ronaldo were denied by the woodwork, but we looked to be heading for half-time at 1-0 when the Scandinavians managed to string a couple of passes together. The ball was worked into Carlos Tevez, who picked up the surprising run of defensive midfielder De Rossi. The through pass was perfect, and De Rossi hammered the ball passed Buffon with his left.
Soon after, the Vikings were at it again. After a brilliant flowing move down the right, Stephan Lichtsteiner found Ronaldo with a good cross. Ronaldo produced a majestic leap to send the ball towards the far corner with a thumping header. Buffon could do nothing as the Scandinavians took a 3-0 lead into the break.
At this point, the Irish must have felt desperately unlucky. The game was completely even, as both teams had an equal share of possession and chances. Bernat replaced Alex Sandro, who had struggled down the left for Ireland, and the teams kicked off the second half.
The game died a bit, but both teams still had decent chances. However, De Gea refused to be beaten, denying both Müller, Messi and Benzema for the Irish.
15 minutes from time, the Scandinavian left back, Ricardo Rodriguez was found by a Ribery pass, on the edge of the area. He hammered a shot goalwards, and Buffon, who could not see the shot, was beaten once again. 4-0 to the Scandinavians!
All that was left to save for the Irish was a bit of honor. But of course, when you have that special player, who can produce something out of nothing, anything is possible. And at this point in time, the Irish manager, Otter, had brought on just that special player.
I am of course speaking of.... Shane Long.
Picking up the ball deep in his own half, Long played a one-two with Mata, and made a lung-bursting run to get on the end of his through pass. His finish into the bottom corner was exquisite, and De Gea was finally beaten. 4-1!
Long played like a player possessed. The duo of Messi and Long (how often can you say that) looked dangerous every attack, and combined very well. But unfortunately for the Irish, they ran out of time. The ref blew the final whistle, and the Scandinavians had stolen what was essentially a very even game, with a comfortable 4-1 score.
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