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Final: Spain 3 Tunisia 1

June 19th, 2006 | By: WC Bob | 45 Comments »

After a slow start, Spain woke up and punched their ticket to the knockout stages by defeating Tunisia. I must admit I was surprised to see Aragones use his subs before the 55th minute but it paid off with Raul using his strength to net the first goal and Fabregas sending the long pass that sprung Torres free.

This was a big win for us. Not only does it enable us to rest some players against Saudi Arabia but it also proves that the team can play when face adversity. They could have gotten frustrated after falling behind but they continued to attack and to play an attractive style of play that eventually broke down the Tunisia defense.

Defensively, we gave Tunisia very little. They really only had one opportunity and they took advantage of it. If you would have told me we would have outscored Ukraine and Tunisia 7-1 before the tournament I would have taken that.

I’m feeling very good about our team right now and how things are shaping up in this competition.

What are your thoughts on the game?

Tags: Fernando Torres, Raul, spain vs. tunisia

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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 45 comments.

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By Chloe | June 20th, 2006 at 2:52 am

Whew…so happy about Spain winning… El Niño was on fire!!! And for a second I was doubting that Spain would win that one… my parents would kill me… (spanish immigrents)

Posted from United States

By Carlos | June 20th, 2006 at 3:14 am

While the Spain-Tunisia game scared me a bit until past the 70th minute, I felt sure that Spain’s constant hammering of the Tunisian defence would finally wear them down and produce at least an equalizer. And sure enough, like an unremitting artillery barrage, it finally did!

Now on to the second round. Spain should pummel its way clear to the quarters!

And yes, to John: You’re probably British. OF COURSE you’re most impressed with England, despite its having scored just half as many goals in all its games so far than Argentina did in one.

I do agree your boys didn’t need to push themselves much - a Paraguayan did that for you in the first game, and playing against T&T in the second game… well, they weren’t exactly the Argentinians were they?

I should point out that if it wasn’t for Señor Gamarra your team would probably still be gasping for air now.

Good luck with the Swedes, by the way, a team that England hasn’t defeated since 1968. Harold Wilson was still your Prime Minister then, I think.

Posted from Philippines

By zorro | June 20th, 2006 at 3:19 am

Was their ever a doubt ? Now 24 without a loss. That says alot about this team, it tells me that the players on the bench know their role ( as proved today ). The back ups are as good as their starters ( as we will see ) on friday. Venga Espana a por todas.

Posted from Canada

By zorro | June 20th, 2006 at 3:20 am

Andrew you have issues.

Posted from Canada

By mikeadyla | June 20th, 2006 at 6:39 am

Kudos to Spain for being so patient and keeping the game ongoing whether they’re leading (Ukraine) or losing (Tunisia)

Posted from Malaysia

By Sonia | June 20th, 2006 at 7:56 am

Wonderful performance! Compare their patient and levelheaded attitude with that of France in their game against S Korea, Aragones’ attitude with that of Eriksson… The amount of youth and talent they have, on the field and on the bench, Raul hopefully getting that much needed confidence boost, Spain is as good as any team in the Cup this time. As for how far they will go, it’s better not to speculate. Remember Korea-Japan’02, anyone?
Let us take it one game at a time, and enjoy the beautiful game.
VIVA ESPANA! Celebre el juego hermoso!

Posted from India

By Furia | June 20th, 2006 at 9:27 am

I was furious until the 71st minute: we were creating all the chances and everything seemed to go wrong –reminded me of past performances. But then brilliant play from midfield and quick feet from Raul and we jumped back into form (not normal for us at all!)! Could this be the year? Vamos, España!! A por ellos, oé! A por ellos oé!!

Posted from United States

By THE RED FURY | June 20th, 2006 at 9:37 am

Well john…i wouldn’t say england went easily into second round…they were unable to score against paraguay…and brazil had it difficult to beat a team like australia who hasn’t been in a world cup for like 32 years…

Posted from Spain

By Toncho | June 20th, 2006 at 10:16 am

Upside. We were able to keep on playing with our style till we finally got a gol. Good movements when there is space. Raul is still “doing nothing” but scoring

Downside. We really have too much difficulties to score (don’t look at the numbers). We need 5 - 6 chances to score one, given that against france or brazil will have less chances… Hope I am wrong. Torres is overated, he needs to many chances to score.

Posted from Luxembourg

By Cathy.Wong | June 20th, 2006 at 11:13 am

I am always supporting Spain. They can do their best. God will bless them to be the winner!

Posted from China

By gorski | June 20th, 2006 at 1:14 pm

what a joke SCG nearly knocked you guys out of the qualifers GOD has punished us i a most ironic way good for spain to pull themselves back up lol

Posted from United Kingdom

By TheImmortalOne | June 20th, 2006 at 1:33 pm

Spain have beaten their competition relatively easily so far. Ok they need loads of chances to get a single goal but so what? They were shocked in the first half and you need to build up momentum again to get a goal back. Lets see what England or Brazil do if they go a goal down against a so called small team. England would struggle to even get a draw cos all they do is long ball plays and brazil with their defence would just leak more goals.
Take for example the aussies. Now if australia put away their chances then the aussies would of won that game.
BTW Ronaldinho and ronaldo have done nothing so far and their defence is as weak as saudi arabias!!lol.

The only teams that have performed well are Argentina, Spain and maybe Holland. The rest can go to hell for all i care.

Posted from United Kingdom

By DrE | June 20th, 2006 at 4:26 pm

Spain will go out of the competition in quarter finals… as always, we have a good team, but we still don´t have what is needed to defeat a team like Brazil or make it to the final

By Roland | June 20th, 2006 at 6:42 pm

Hey John - Brazil and England? Talk about delusional. What are they putting in the water over there?

Talk to me when the Lions beat Sweden, which I doubt they will.

Posted from United States

By jag | June 20th, 2006 at 7:00 pm

I am selling 2 tickets Cat. 1 for Spain VS. Saudi Arabia

e-mail me at SonOfaJatt@hotmail.com

or call, Toronto 001 905 334 0601

140 pounds uk each

Posted from Canada

By El Duck | June 20th, 2006 at 10:49 pm

I hope Spain meets Korea in the round of 16th, so we can settle what happens in 2002 in Neutral Grounds.

Posted from Canada

By El Duck | June 20th, 2006 at 10:53 pm

*what Happened

Posted from Canada

By Roland | June 20th, 2006 at 11:00 pm

El Duck, you and me both pally, you and me both. I got a bone to pick with South Korea.

Posted from United States

By kelymin | June 21st, 2006 at 1:09 am

Amazing. Come home to Anfield Torres. Beautiful

Posted from Brunei Darussalam

By La Furia Roja | June 21st, 2006 at 2:47 am

Kudos to Tunisia for a good game against Spain! I must admit that they did punish Spain with that early goal and extremely tight defense for 60+ minutes to lock down the lead, their only mistake I guess was playing to defensively for such a long time and letting the Red Fury have the ball and attack with it for such a long time.. No one can withstand a Spanish barrage for so long, especially with Spain’s talented attackers! A well deserved win for España! Viva La Furia Roja!

Posted from Philippines

By Jaime | June 21st, 2006 at 5:12 am

Torres will go to Man United,,, With C.Ronaldo the 2 together will be untouchable,,, Both play similar Style,,, Fast and short passes

Posted from Australia

By Nana | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:53 am

That well!.I happy very mush.The first i’m not cheer spain but now cheer with all one’s might ^-^.It beautiful football and player play follow rule. The winner of world cup,this here!!.

**Like Torres very mush**

Posted from Thailand

By goyo | June 22nd, 2006 at 9:25 pm

Oye! Althuogh I was upset when Tunisia scored, I expected Spain to come back and win. I can feel it! Ay magico y confienca con esta equipo! Viva la furia roja! Definately the best futbol bieng played in this world cup. Don`t be afraid of Spain peaking too early, we`re going to be entertained by some great play, Spain has got game!!!!!!!!!

Posted from United States

By annie | June 23rd, 2006 at 8:26 pm

Fernando Torres i love you! will you marry me? just kidding. no, but seriously,i love you

By ayesha | August 28th, 2006 at 1:56 pm

wat a come back spain!!
torres your amazinand hot!!!!!!!
rock on dude!!!!!!!!!!

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