Australia were anything but lame.
1-0 Chile! And they deserve it too; should have been ahead earlier.
This World Cup just gets better and better. (Not that I'm against Spain; just that this is more interesting now)
2 zip, Chile!
Casillas has lost his head completely. That punch is definitely one that could come down to lack of practice.
A howler from Casillas, whose defence didn't exactly help him.
This is astonishing though. Up there with France in 02. It'll take something amazing to score three on the second half
Silva the only bright spark. Iniesta has been astonishingly poor. Amazing that someone (Casillas) with so little match practice over the last two years is starting over lads like Reina and De Gea.
Diego Costa could be a dodgy signing for Chelsea too going by his last several performances; he could turn out a one season wonder. I don't think Del Bosque is that confident about Torres, or Villa for some reason. All the more galling that Negredo and Llorente weren't called up. Llorente had a very good season for Juventus and offers something different to what they have right now.
De Gea is injured
Costa hasn't really done anything wrong, has he? No striker would look good amid this team performance. My criticism of him would be that he always seems to want to take one more touch before shooting, and sometimes he just ends up doing nothing. Still an excellent player.
Ah come on. Compare Australia to Ireland in 2012. They both got no points but the performances were worlds apart. The Aussies can be very proud, we just went home more than a touch embarrassed.
Lack of confidence too I'd say. I've been there (no doubt you have too). Some days you just don't want the ball anywhere near you. Your nerves affect your decision making. I'd say a good schoolboy keeper would have held that comfortably.Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Chile's first goal was stunning. That first touch, so soft and delicate and just perfect. Any harder and the chance was gone. Glenn Hoddlle always goes on about needing soft ankles, just as golfers need soft wrists. Perfect example just there.
I've always seen a little of Xabi Alonso in Glenn Whelan. Tonight I'm seeing a lot of Glenn Whelan in Xabi Alonso.
Agree with TOWK about the Spanish strikers selected / not selected. Costa looks like a right old nark bag too, though in fairness he did compliment their keeper after a good catch.
That discussion of Spain's bench was amazing. Do you bring on Villa, Torres, Mata, Koke, Cazorla or Fabregas?
Also, a quick shout out to the camera angles. Really enjoying the overhead one. And seeing Costa's chance from behind Casillas' goal was interesting.
Yes. Yes you do.
Well not all of them...
Unbelievable. How many more twists can this game have?
Though Spain have started the half well; I can see them doing this if they keep Chile at bay at the other end
He took an extra touch at the start of the second half that left him poorly set-up to take advantage of what was a fairly decent chance. He's off now; hasn't done much. Can you see poor Torres inspiring a startling comeback?... It's squeaky bum time for Spain.
I agree, yet were highly competitive against two good teams and without putting everyone behind the ball. That's why I said I hope MON is taking notes. There are ways of making ordinary players competitive as a unit.
Spain are committing men forward and I can see them getting caught on the break and conceding at least one more here.
Spain have made the wrong decision in the final third virtually every single time. It's incredible.
Great for the World Cup. It really is a lot like France in 02.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
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