Miracle in Istanbul or gold in the 2010 World Cup? Alonso’s best result as a player
Nikita Paglazov May 22, 2024, 14:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Now Xabi is close to his first European Cup as a coach.
Bayer is two steps away from an undefeated season! Leverkusen only needs two victories: in the Europa League final and in the German Cup. Ahead is LE’s decisive match with Atalanta.
Bayer is lucky that the club has a coach with great experience in decisive matches. As a player, Xabi Alonso played in World Cup and Euro Cup finals, Champions League and national cups. And we remember the coolest decisive matches in which the Spaniard participated. And we invite you to choose the best ending!
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Rating: the best final of Xabi Alonso’s career as a player
Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
2010 World Cup Final
Spain – Netherlands – 1:0 (date)
Xabi Alonso appeared in the starting eleven of the most important match in the history of Spain. The team was in the World Cup final for the first time. And in a tough fight they beat Holland. Alonso was on the field for 86 minutes and left the field at the end of regulation time. And the highlight associated with Khabi would be more suitable for martial arts. At one point, Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong kicked Alonso in the chest. “I don’t want to remember the moment of De Jong’s absence. I will only say that it was the most painful blow I have received in my career,” Xabi later said. But the main thing is that Spain was proclaimed world champion.
Photo: Richard Sellers/Getty Images
Champions League Final – 2004/2005
“Liverpool” – “Milan” – 3:3 (3:2 pen.)
One of the most (if not the most) epic Champions League finals. Alonso is an important part of Liverpool’s miracle in Istanbul. Xabi was in the starting eleven. Yes, in the first half the British conceded three times, but in 15 minutes of the second half they turned the game around. And it was Alonso who scored Liverpool’s third goal. Xabi took the penalty, which was first stopped by Dida, but the Spaniard was the first to finish. It is true that in the series of 11-meter shots after the game, Alonso no longer came close to the “point.” But even without him, Liverpool won and took home the fifth Champions League trophy in their history.
Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images
European Championship Final – 2008
Spain – Germany – 1:0
At the 2008 European Championship, Alonso was not part of the Spanish team. He received only 151 minutes in four games. But in the final, Xabi was trusted with playing time. He entered the field in the 63rd minute, when the score was 1: 0 in favor of Spain. And he helped the team preserve the victory. Spain was proclaimed European champion for the second time in history.
Photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images
European Championship Final – 2012
Spain – Italy – 4:0
Alonso went to the 2008 Euro Cup as a Liverpool player and four years later he was already playing for Real Madrid. In the national team, his status went from being a rotation player to being a main team player: Xabi started all six games. At Euro 2012, the Spanish used up to six midfielders on the field at the same time. For example, in the final, coach Vicente del Bosque released Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Cesc Fábregas, David Silva and Andrés Iniesta. And this tactic gave Spain a second consecutive victory in the European Championship. In the final he destroyed Italy without problems. And Alonso spent the full 90 minutes on the field.
Photo: Imago/TASS
FA Cup Final – 2005/2006
Liverpool – West Ham – 3:3 (penis 3:1)
Liverpool didn’t play boring finals in the mid-2000s. Just fun, just tough. The FA Cup final against West Ham is another clear confirmation. The teams had a penalty shootout: in the 90+1 minute the Londoners led 3-2. But then Steven Gerrard got involved. At the end of the match, the ball bounced towards him, after which the Liverpool midfielder attacked from 30 meters away. And how he hit him, right next to the post! The goal is a masterpiece. And then the Reds took the trophy, beating West Ham on penalties. It is true that Alonso was no longer on the field. Rafael Benítez replaced him in the 67th minute.
Photo: imago images/Ulmer/TASS
Copa del Rey Final – 2013/2014
Real Madrid – Barcelona – 2:1
A final that went down in history thanks to Gareth Bale’s streak. In the 85th minute, Real Madrid’s Welsh winger advanced like a tank down the left wing, tricked Marc Bartra and scored the winning goal. Alonso spent the entire match on the field: he did not participate in the scoring episodes and only received a yellow card in the 88th minute. But Xabi won the third national cup of his career.
Photo: John Walton/Getty Images
UEFA Super Cup Final – 2005
Liverpool – CSKA – 3:1 (time out)
CSKA won the UEFA Cup in 2005 and Liverpool won the Champions League. The teams played the Super Cup and it was fun. CSKA took the lead until the 82nd minute: Daniel Carvalho opened the scoring in the first half. But at the end of the second half, Djibril Cissé equalized the score. Xabi Alonso was no longer on the field at that time. The Spaniard started but was substituted in the 70th minute. And in extra time, Liverpool put pressure on CSKA and took the trophy.
