Spain Recovers, Wins Group H

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.