Spanish fiesta turns sour

Spain celebrated their 500th match with a convincing 1-0 victory over an England side that was a caricature of itself. Del Horno headed the goal that served to win the game in the ninth minute. The English seemed hellbent on causing agitation perhaps because their minds were more focused on their problem with racism than the actual game. The Spanish fiesta was complete: the Bernabéu did a 'wave', the national side won in convincing fashion and Luis Aragonés left satisfied with what was probably his best game in charge so far. (El Mundo, Spain)

If they had come wanting to settle a score with Luis then they were mistaken. And if they wanted to answer Spain's elegant game with kicks then worse still. Thank goodness that Beckham was on the pitch to call for a bit of calm. Because some of his team-mates certainly lost their rag. Rooney, as Salgado said in the press conference, looks like he would come in handy when moving house. His shove on Iker Casillas was barbaric and undignified for a professional footballer. And Lampard, who hunted Reyes all evening, got annoyed when Raúl nutmegged him and in a matter of seconds, transformed from his usual graceful self into a maladjusted boy who wanted to thrash out at anything in his path. (AS, Spain)

The blame for an occasion full of shameful incidents could be shared between Spain's racist fans and England's hooligan footballers. In an attempt to demonstrate solidarity with their manager, the home supporters disgraced a famous stadium by contriving perhaps the loudest outbreaks of racist chanting ever heard at an international match. Before that, however, Wayne Rooney had again demonstrated that no party to which he is invited will be merely a matter of balloons and a birthday cake. (The Guardian, England)

Eriksson, whatever the pressure for results, should let Rooney know that he needs to go away and rethink his attitude to the game. Maybe even take a little rage therapy. The Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, might also be told that his £28m prodigy is in danger of destroying a wondrous talent. Ashley Cole, having already received a yellow card, was also in danger of dismissal when he shoulder-charged Raúl over the touchline ... and then pushed the Spanish coach, Luis Aragonés, in the chest. Cole, however, does have a workable defence. If England played ugly, pathetically at times, they were more than matched by the racist content of many of the cries of the Spanish fans. (The Independent, England)