And Villa again....
David Villa scored in the 83rd minute Saturday to give Spain a 1-0 win over Paraguay and its first-ever spot in the World Cup semifinals. The goal starts in Iniesta and the ball fell to Villa in the area after Pedro Rodriguez hit the post and Villa took one touch before curling a shot in off the far post. Paraguay's defense mostly kept Spain's vaunted attack at bay, and neither team couldn convert a penalty kick. Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved a 59th-minute penalty by Oscar Cardozo and Paraguay captain Justo Villar matched him on a retaken shot by Xabi Alonso two minutes later. Paraguay didn't sit back on defense but pressured Spain high to disrupt its slick passing game. Paraguay blocked Spain's first chance in the seventh minute - from Xabi Alonso - before Sergio Ramos nearly headed in from a corner kick. The South Americans swarmed around Spain's area to force turnovers and Cristian Veros headed high in the ninth before Claudio Morel's shot was off two minutes later.
European champion Spain has fielded an unchanged lineup for the third straight game as it attempts to win a World Cup quarterfinal match for the first time against Paraguay. Coach Vicente del Bosque stuck with misfiring striker Fernando Torres up front alongside David Villa, who has scored four of Spain's five goals to be joint-leading scorer in South Africa. The striker's tournament-high fifth goal sets up a semifinal against Germany in Durban on Wednesday. Taken from CBS news
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Hi Rafa,
ReplyDeleteWhat a game Spain v Germany will be! Going to be tight, two excellent teams. I'll be supporting Spain in this one. Good luck.
Regards,
Lee.
Don't get too excited Rafa! Villa is brilliant but take a look at how the Germans demolished Argentina. They did us (Australia) 4-0 too but the Argies were a far better team. Have a look at how the German's dealt with Messi - Villa may be brilliant but it will take a team effort to get it past the German defence. Watch out for that Miroslav Klose - he is a freak that can pick the tiniest gap and put a ball through. The only advantage you will have is that their other major striker Muller won't be playing due to the yellow card he got against Argentina.
ReplyDeleteWhen its all done you can get some decent sleep and paint a few more figures!
Cheers,
Doc
Lee and Doc
ReplyDeleteAll here in Spain we think that Germany will be very a different thing.
At least, the German team plays the ball like Spain so it will be a good match.
There is not fear, because we routed them two years ago in the Euro Cup, so it is not an impossible task!
Go Spain!
Hi Rafa - Spain/Germany will be an excellent game and of course we English can relax and enjoy it while you will be going through an agony of tension! The Germans are looking good but of course we would say that wouldn't we after our 4:1(2!) thrashing. I will be supporting Spain though!
ReplyDeleteIan
Ian
ReplyDeleteAll support will be welcome!
Germany is a good team (as England and Argentina can say) and are making an impressive play.
It will be a very interesting (although agonic) match to watch, like an early final.
Rafa