FIFA 2010 World Cup: Spain vs. Portugal – lessons to learn for Paraguay
They are two countries on the same peninsula in the Middle East whose offensive football strength is recognized around the globe. Though the Spanish team came out as the victor in the match against Portugal, but both teams played their hearts out in a thrilling match in South Africa 2010.
As both teams had a sharp and talented attack, a predictable fast paced game was witnessed. Experts had already predicted before kick-off that the entire game will be heavily dependent on each team’s offensive skills and that was evident throughout the match, despite the fact that only one goal was scored in the end. Now that Spain has proceeded to the quarterfinal against Paraguay and that Portugal has been knocked out of South Africa 2010, both teams must have learnt some morals from the experience. Here is an analysis of that.
1- How did Spain block Cristiano Ronaldo, the key attacking midfielder for Portugal?
Now here is a stunner; you might have known Cristiano Ronaldo from either Manchester United or Real Madrid as the ultimate goal scoring machine and the God of footballing talent. But his record for Portugal has been nowhere as amazing as it has been for his clubs. While he scored 26 goals in 29 appearances for Real Madrid in the last season, a season where his club came agonizingly close at beating their counterparts Barcelona which ironically consists of a majority players from the current Spanish national team, Ronaldo’s tally for his country sums up at 23 goals in 76 appearances.
Though that may be true, but it does not suggest that Ronaldo is the kind of player that should be left alone and unmarked. The problem that has been noticed is that the Portugal team is heavily dependent on this man, despite possessing a lot of fire power in the rest of the squad. The problem was that Ronaldo is used to playing as a forward on the wing. If he is suddenly forced to play a dual role in the wings, then of course his performance is going to be effected. While all that maybe true, no credit can be snatched from either Gerard Pique or Carles Puyol. They were present at the right place at the right time throughout the match. While a man marked Ronaldo at all times, Spain were always guiding other players to positions to block the offence from Portugal, which eventually frustrated them. As a result, Portugal lost the match.
2- The David Villa and Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry - how Ronaldo succumbed to pressure and how pressure can be used against Paraguay
Villa and Ronaldo were the keys of success without any doubt. Both players are at an age where youth and experience combines almost automatically. With these instruments of success, both players have the tools to carve their names into the annals of history.
While Ronaldo is 25 years old and Villa is 28, both players have played pivotal roles in the triumph for their countries in the past. In comparison to Ronaldo’s 1 goal in South Africa 2010, Villa produced 4 goals. As a result, Villa holds an edge over Ronaldo. Similarly, Ronaldo has been named as the man-of-the-match on a number of occasions in this World Cup. This means that Villa is under lesser pressure than Ronaldo.
If Ronaldo hasn’t succumbed to pressure, a very different game would have been observed. No glory can be taken away from Villa as he has been outstanding so far in the tournament. If one person is hailed as a hero, it indirectly pressurizes him without any doubt. As a result, the player doesn’t perform and it runs through the entire team. This strategy worked out beautifully for Spain.
3- Will Fernando Torres be able to pierce through Paraguay’s defence
Though he was suffering from a groin injury, his performance for the Spanish team hasn’t met the highest standards as yet. The fans are discontented and Coach Vicente del Bosque is no different. However, Bosque has promised that he will make it up to Spain and the skilful striker will use all his talents to provide a flashing performance. Though he had great attempts on goal in the match against Portugal, he was replaced in the second half.
There were a couple of instances where he should have scored. However, the player is progressing by the day and will hopefully prove better in the next match against Paraguay. If Torres manages to engage his traditional game play, the 26-year-old man, who produced the winner for Spain in the European Cup, is sure to produce a winner in South Africa 2010 as well.
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