Spain and Australia faced each other today in a game that was played for pride. Spain was eliminated after losing 2-0 to Chile last Tuesday and Australia was eliminated from the World Cup after losing 3-2 to Netherlands the same day. We all expected the reigning champs to advance to the Round of 16 but sometimes the futbol gods have something else in mind. As devastating as it is to watch a Spanish team that didn’t play well during the first two games of the group stage, it is more devastating to know that this is their last chance to show their fans that there is still hope and the next world cup they will come with something better.
The Socceroos and La Furia Roja(The Red Fury), played a good first 45 minutes during their group match. Spain seems to be playing much better than what they played during the first two matches. If they had played the way they were playing during their match against Australia, history would have been different. Australia, on the other hand, seems to continue to struggle. They are without their star Tim Cahill, who received a yellow card in their match versus Netherlands and Spain, started with Goalkeeper Reina over Iker Casillas, who gave a mediocre show the past two games allowing 7 goals in the net and creating stupid mistakes.
The first half kicked off for Spain and Australia and it was Spain who had control of the game the first 45 minutes. David Villa, Jordi Alba and Iniesta all had opportunities to score but Australia’s defense was there to save them or the goalkeeper made some nice saves to keep his team’s pride alive. It wasn’t until the 38th minute that Spain got in the scoreboard and took the lead. Defenseman Juanfran was able to play on the right side of the field and as he got closer to the box, he found David Villa in a cross and David Villa was able to flick it in with his foot and give his team the 1-0 lead.
It showed that Spain wants to leave in a good note back to their home country and at least have some pride in them. After Spain scored, Australia had a chance to tie the game and go into halftime with the game tied and hopes of coming back to win it and go home with Pride, but goalkeeper Pepe Reina and his defense were there to save the day for Spain.
In the second half, we saw Spain dominate the rest of the game. There was also some emotional moments as substitutions took place during the game and it wasn’t very easy exits for two players. In the 56th minute, Coach Del Bosque substituted David Villa for Juan Mata and it wasn’t a very easy exit for David Villa. You were able to see in his face that sadness that his heart was feeling. As David Villa exit out, we were informed that this would be his last World Cup and last time wearing the Spain National jersey to represent his nation.
In the 68th minute, we saw Santi Cazorla be substituted by Cesc Fabregas and it was a good change from Del Bosque. One minute later Fabregas and Juan Mata were part of the play that created a beautiful goal from Fernando 9 Torres. Cesc was able to find Mata who then found Iniesta and Iniesta was able to put it through the defenders, find Torres and Torres was able to shot it in the net to give them a 2-0 lead over Australia.
In the 82 second minute it was Torres and Fabregas that were able to help Mata create a beautiful goal. Torres found Fabregas who then crossed it to Mata. Mata had to options to either pass it to Fernando 9 Torres or kick it in himself for the goal and that is just what he did. He was able to put it through the goalkeeper’s legs and make it a 3-0 lead.
About a minute later, we saw the David Silva came in for Xabi Alonso and it also wasn’t an easy exit for Alonso who also played his last world cup and the last time he would wear the Spain National Jersey.
Spain was in control of the whole match and Australia had some great opportunities but they left the World Cup with no points for the first time and we saw a struggling Australian team leave the World Cup with no pride left in them.
It was a sad day for the Spain Nation as we saw two players play for their national team for the last time and also a sad day to see the reigning champs go home with only one victory and exiting the World Cup very early. But it isn’t the end for Spain. This would be an experience for all players and a start of a new era and hopes of rebuilding the Spain National Team and comeback even stronger four years from now.