When the final whistle blew to conclude Friday night’s match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium between Spain and Chile, it brought with it much relief to both Spaniards and Chileans as they watched their country move on to the Round of 16. After dropping their first Group Stage match in a shocker to Switzerland just ten days ago, Spain was able to scramble back into the World Cup picture on the back of David Villa who has scored three goals in the final two group matches.
“We should not have had to suffer so much in three games, but in the end we won the group. Suffering makes victory even sweeter,” David Villa commented to Monsters and Critics.
Spain’s 2-1 victory over Chile brought the two teams level at six points. The advantage over their Chilean counterpart was a +1 goal differential, which sets Spain atop Group H. By clinching the top spot in Group H, Spain avoids having to matchup against Brazil in the Round of 16. The matchup is one that many hope and expect to see later on at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
The victory has also given the Spanish a newly found confidence in their game.
Capdevilla told BBC Sports after the match, “We did something that was pretty difficult. We’re more united than ever. We have recovered mentally from Switzerland.”
Although chasing down Alonso’s long ball led to Spain’s first goal Friday, Torres’ play on the pitch has been sluggish since his arrival in South Africa. Torres hasn’t been able to produce many offensive opportunities himself and when he has, he hasn’t been able to capitalize on them. Fernando Torres’ fitness remains in question for Del Bosque as Spain moves forward in the tournament. Torres has yet to play a full 90 minutes in any of the three matches. They will need him to find his form if Spain hopes to continue deeper into the 2010 World Cup.
A positive sign for Spain came by the name of Andres Iniesta, who proved he is back to form since recovering from a right leg and thigh injury. He was able to net a goal in the 37th minute of play on a brilliant strike from the edge of the area. It was his first international goal since qualification on the 15th of October 2008 against Belgium.
With Spain moving forward, they hope they will continue to receive contributions at the front from David Villa and Iniesta, as well as continued solid play at the back, in the midfield, and in goal. All aspects were on tremendous display in the match against Honduras and that play was carried over into the match against Chile.
La Furia Roja will face Portugal in an Iberian Derby June 29 in Cape Town, South Africa. Portugal has many friendly and known faces on their 23-man roster, seven of which play in Spain’s La Liga including Captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Chile advances to Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg to meet a familiar face in Brazil June 28.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
5 Reasons Spain Wins 2010 World Cup
For a country of just over 40.5 million people, Spain’s inhabitants are passionate about their national football team. Spaniards are fortunate enough to be able to watch all but three of the current 23 man World Cup roster play in Spain’s La Liga. The only exceptions are Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Cesc Fàbregas (Arsenal), and Pepe Reina (Liverpool). Spain has already flexed their muscles as number one in the FIFA World Rankings in July 2008 and is the first nation to hold such a title having never won a World Cup. Spain’s best finish remains a fourth place finish in the 1950 World Cup. If any year is more perfect to finally win a World Cup, this would be the year because a better one may never present itself. Coming into 2010, Spain is highly regarded as the favourite to win the 2010 World Cup and here are five top reasons why.
5. European Champions – Spain enters the 2010 World Cup already being crowned as the 2008 European Champions. They have proven themselves to be a powerhouse in the football world. To earn this title, Spain has already beaten World Cup contenders in the likes of Greece, Italy (2006 World Cup Champions), Russia, and Germany. Spain hopes to join West Germany in the group of winning the Euro Championship prior to the World Cup (Won Euro Championship 1972 and 1974 World Cup).
4. Experience – When you look at Spain’s roster, one thing it does not lack is experience. Many of Spain’s current starters have multiple, multiple appearances at the international level, which can be a huge advantage keeping composure in critical situations. Goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, has recorded 104 international appearances, 2nd only to Andoni Zubizarreta (126 appearances. Many players on the current roster were a part of the team that went 35 consecutive matches without losing. Spain’s players are no stranger to pressure or expectation, except this year, expectation is higher than ever. Expect Vicente del Bosque to get his players to handle the pressure and expectation with much ease.
3. In Group H, the only team that can beat Spain is themselves – Spain has dogged a bullet in its group drawing. Certainly Spain could have been matched up against other powerhouse countries, but instead will face Switzerland, Honduras, and Chile. With relative ease, Spain should finish the group stage atop Group H, winning all nine possible points. They only team Spain could potentially lose to are themselves, although they should not sleep on a potential upset by any team within their group. Spain ultimately needs to stay focused, as well as not become too comfortable with the fact they’ve drawn an easy group. Advancing from Group H, they could potentially face tough matchups against Portugal, Italy, or Argentina so Group H will provide Spain with the ability to work out final kinks, while showing the world they are the team to beat.
2. Have stayed healthy – While other countries have seen key players go down to injuries such as Michael Ballack (Germany), Nani (Portugal), Rio Ferdinand (England), Arjen Robben (Netherlands) and Didier Drogba (France), among many more, Spain’s lineup has remained for the most part in-tact. Andrés Iniesta is the only question mark as to when he will be fully fit for competition, but will be ready to compete as soon as he is cleared, potentially in time for their first match against Switzerland on June 16. As long as Spain’s top players can stay healthy, they will continue to advance in the 2010 World Cup. Even if Spain does suffer unforeseeable injuries, their roster is so deep that they will be able to replace players without missing a stride.
1. Complete Roster – Spain brings to South Africa one of the most complete rosters a World Cup competition has seen. Topping Spain’s roster is Iker Casillas. He is highly considered to be one of the best keepers in the world. Casillas has great leadership qualities as Captain and has the ability to lead Spain to its first World Cup title as long as he performs in goal as he has during qualifying. Spain’s defense is almost impenetrable, allowing only five goals throughout all ten qualifying games. They will be a key part in Spain’s success in South Africa. The midfield revolves around Xavi Hernández, who is considered to be one of the top playmakers in the world. He will be a vital part in creating and running Spain’s offense alongside his La Liga teammate Andrés Iniesta. Spain’s offense is virtually unstoppable, scoring 28 goals in ten qualifying games en-route to South Africa. Forwards Fernando Torres and David Villa have combined to score 62 international goals. They also have many world class substitutes ready to take the pitch.
Spain’s area of concern: Spain is no stranger to winning, but they are to losing. Just last year, Spain witnessed their 35 consecutive match unbeaten streak ended by the United States in South Africa’s 2009 Confederations Cup, losing 0-2 (Altidore 27’ ; Dempsey 74’). Spain mustn’t get too comfortable with any lead or with the fact they drew a far easier group than England, the United States, Brazil, or Portugal. If Spain puts cruise control on, they could find themselves packing sooner than expected. They shouldn’t take any opponent too lightly, but they will go into all their matches as the favourite.
Spain’s Group Stage Schedule
6/16 – Spain 0 : Switzerland 1 (Fernandes 52')
6/21 – Spain 2 (Villa 17', 51') : Honduras 0
6/25 – Chile 1 (Millar 47') : Spain 2 (David Villa 24', Iniesta 37')
5. European Champions – Spain enters the 2010 World Cup already being crowned as the 2008 European Champions. They have proven themselves to be a powerhouse in the football world. To earn this title, Spain has already beaten World Cup contenders in the likes of Greece, Italy (2006 World Cup Champions), Russia, and Germany. Spain hopes to join West Germany in the group of winning the Euro Championship prior to the World Cup (Won Euro Championship 1972 and 1974 World Cup).
4. Experience – When you look at Spain’s roster, one thing it does not lack is experience. Many of Spain’s current starters have multiple, multiple appearances at the international level, which can be a huge advantage keeping composure in critical situations. Goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, has recorded 104 international appearances, 2nd only to Andoni Zubizarreta (126 appearances. Many players on the current roster were a part of the team that went 35 consecutive matches without losing. Spain’s players are no stranger to pressure or expectation, except this year, expectation is higher than ever. Expect Vicente del Bosque to get his players to handle the pressure and expectation with much ease.
3. In Group H, the only team that can beat Spain is themselves – Spain has dogged a bullet in its group drawing. Certainly Spain could have been matched up against other powerhouse countries, but instead will face Switzerland, Honduras, and Chile. With relative ease, Spain should finish the group stage atop Group H, winning all nine possible points. They only team Spain could potentially lose to are themselves, although they should not sleep on a potential upset by any team within their group. Spain ultimately needs to stay focused, as well as not become too comfortable with the fact they’ve drawn an easy group. Advancing from Group H, they could potentially face tough matchups against Portugal, Italy, or Argentina so Group H will provide Spain with the ability to work out final kinks, while showing the world they are the team to beat.
2. Have stayed healthy – While other countries have seen key players go down to injuries such as Michael Ballack (Germany), Nani (Portugal), Rio Ferdinand (England), Arjen Robben (Netherlands) and Didier Drogba (France), among many more, Spain’s lineup has remained for the most part in-tact. Andrés Iniesta is the only question mark as to when he will be fully fit for competition, but will be ready to compete as soon as he is cleared, potentially in time for their first match against Switzerland on June 16. As long as Spain’s top players can stay healthy, they will continue to advance in the 2010 World Cup. Even if Spain does suffer unforeseeable injuries, their roster is so deep that they will be able to replace players without missing a stride.
1. Complete Roster – Spain brings to South Africa one of the most complete rosters a World Cup competition has seen. Topping Spain’s roster is Iker Casillas. He is highly considered to be one of the best keepers in the world. Casillas has great leadership qualities as Captain and has the ability to lead Spain to its first World Cup title as long as he performs in goal as he has during qualifying. Spain’s defense is almost impenetrable, allowing only five goals throughout all ten qualifying games. They will be a key part in Spain’s success in South Africa. The midfield revolves around Xavi Hernández, who is considered to be one of the top playmakers in the world. He will be a vital part in creating and running Spain’s offense alongside his La Liga teammate Andrés Iniesta. Spain’s offense is virtually unstoppable, scoring 28 goals in ten qualifying games en-route to South Africa. Forwards Fernando Torres and David Villa have combined to score 62 international goals. They also have many world class substitutes ready to take the pitch.
Spain’s area of concern: Spain is no stranger to winning, but they are to losing. Just last year, Spain witnessed their 35 consecutive match unbeaten streak ended by the United States in South Africa’s 2009 Confederations Cup, losing 0-2 (Altidore 27’ ; Dempsey 74’). Spain mustn’t get too comfortable with any lead or with the fact they drew a far easier group than England, the United States, Brazil, or Portugal. If Spain puts cruise control on, they could find themselves packing sooner than expected. They shouldn’t take any opponent too lightly, but they will go into all their matches as the favourite.
Spain’s Group Stage Schedule
6/16 – Spain 0 : Switzerland 1 (Fernandes 52')
6/21 – Spain 2 (Villa 17', 51') : Honduras 0
6/25 – Chile 1 (Millar 47') : Spain 2 (David Villa 24', Iniesta 37')
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