Spain Held By Iceland As Alonso Sees Red

Iceland 1- 1 Spain

Spain blew the chance to move into second place in Group F as they were held to a draw by a strong Iceland side that belied their lowly status in the group after Xabi Alonso had been sent off in the first half.

The Liverpool midfielder saw red after appearing to stamp on Arnar Vidarsson and the Spanish were left to reorganise their side to cope with the dismissal.

Before the break the hosts took advantage of their numerical superiority as Emil Hallfredsson headed home the opening goal, but Iniesta earned a point for the visitors late in the second period.

In the build-up Luís Aragonés had warned that Iceland were not an easy team to play and he was proved right, but was not helped by his own side's lack of spark when going forward.

With the stadium in Reykjavik being buffeted by wind and rain, la Selección did not look comfortable and their opponents were raising their game in a bid to come away with a surprising result.

As they were harried and hassled in midfield in the opening minutes, Xabi Alonso was not happy about a challenge from Vidarsson and as the two collided the Spanish player kicked out and was sent for an early bath.

Aragonés chose to switch to three at the back and keep his attacking options the same, but the plan always looked problematic as Iceland went close on two occasions soon after.

Joey Gudjonsson and Gunar Thorvaldsson steered their efforts wide of Iker Casillas goal, but when the third clear chance came Iceland took it.

A first-time cross from the right by Gudjonsson found Hallfredssson unmarked at the far post at the former Tottenham winger headed the ball into the opposite corner to send the home fans into raptures.

As legs began to tire after the break, the home team opted to sit back and attempt to soak up the pressure being applied on them by an ever more desperate Spain team.

Despite being pressed back for the majority of the half Árni Arason did not have the busiest evening of his career, while at the other end Casillas was twice called upon to save effort from Thorvaldsson and Grétar Steinsson.

Five minutes from the end the pressure finally told when Iniesta broke through the back line and slid in an equaliser to net his third international goal and snatch a point for Spain.

It was not a convincing performance as Aragonés side lacked spark with or without all their players on the pitch and they will have to improve before hosting Latvia on Wednesday.

What do you think? Is Spain missing the inspirational presence of Raul?