Spain's Fernando Torres celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group C match between Spain and Ireland in Gdansk, Poland, Thursday, June 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
June 14, 2012 - 4:41 PM
GDANSK, Poland - Fernando Torres scored a goal in each half Thursday to give Spain a 4-0 win over Ireland and eliminate the Irish from the European Championship.
David Silva and substitute Cesc Fabregas also scored second-half goals as the defending champions improved to four points in Group C, the same as Croatia.
Spain dominated the tempo and scoring opportunities through its quick combinations. Torres scored first, running into the area in the fourth minute and sending an angled shot over Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given. Silva added the second in the 49th and Torres made it 3-0 in the 70th before Fabregas, who replaced Torres, scored in the 83rd.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012