FIFA World Cup 2010: Spain Vs Portugal - Match Analysis
David Villa, has managed to successfully find a 'bank of form' going into the World Cup. As long as he continues to tap that bank, it seems no one can stop the Spanish from going all the way in the tournament.
Villa’s goal against Portugal, is his fourth of the tournament so far. It has added to his status of being one of footballs most lethal strikers. Villa’s partner upfront, Fernando Torres, is by no means a bad player. But so far he is finding it impossible to come out of Villa’s shadows.
Torres had another poor game against Portugal, it was a game in which former World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to disappear in the crowd as well. He failed to get into the game at all, most of this was due to the fact that Spain hardly ever gave any possession away.
Spain enjoyed their traditional possession dominance throughout the game, but found if really hard to get past a very defense minded Portugal. Bruno Alves and Ricardo Carvalho gave solid performances which helped keep the Spanish out for most of the game.
Even though Spain were the more threatening of the two team, the first real chances fell to Portugal. One with a Ronaldo free kick, that Casillas fumbled and the other one was when a ball deflected off Puyols leg and nearly went into the goal.
But the game soon went into a dead lock with Spain continuing to press forward and Portugal trying to push them back.
Del Bosque made a match changing substitution on the fifty eight minute, by bringing on Llorente for Torres. Llorente had an immediate impact on the match, two minutes after his arrival he tested Eduardo with a beautifully timed diving header.
Spain’s intricate passing eventually paid off when a passing move between Xavi, Iniesta and Villa, led to the dissection of the Portuguese defense and fell kindly for Villa. His first time shot came off the keeper but his follow up shot was sublimely placed and there was no stopping the ball from going in.
After the goal, Spain continued doing what they do best and retained possession. The Portuguese hardly got the ball off the Spanish and even when they did it was soon given back to them. Spain created a number of chances after that with Ramos, Villa and Llorente all going close to scoring Spain’s second.
Spain rode the match out in style passing the ball back and forth and making the Portuguese feel like there were nothing more than mere spectators.
Portugal should have learned from their mistakes in the first half and tried to take the game to Spain. Failing to incorporate Ronaldo in the few chances they did get resulted in their ultimate demise. Spain on the other hand tire to get Villa involved in every one of their attack and that eventually paid off.
It was a game that certainly lived up to its hype but Del Bosque’s tactics were just too good for Carlos Queirós to counter and the Spanish manager along with his team ended up on top after the ninety minutes.
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