Spain 2, Egypt 0

In its second to last World Cup warm-up, Spain defeated Egypt 2-0 in Elche, Spain yesterday. Sorry for the late recap — the game was not on TV out here until today.

Spain 2, Egypt 0
Goal: Gonzalez Raul (14)
Goal: Jose Antonio Reyes (56)
Notes: Raul’s first-half poacher goal broke a seven-month goal drought for the Spanish forward; Jose Antonio Reyes: ‘I will not settle for being 12th man’; When Raul was substituted in the second half, he wrapped the captain’s armband around Iker Casillas and received a standing ovation from the Elche crowd while he made his exit.
My thoughts: Jose Antonio Reyes was Spain’s best attacking player and if his crosses, set pieces and passing continue to be as good as it was in the second half, he must play every minute of the World Cup. His free kick goal was perfect and his chest pass into the box during the second half was just as good.
There are some issues with the back line: Sergio Ramos is not as comfortable at right back as everyone expected him to be and Pablo Ibanez was less than stellar. Antonio Lopez did well getting involved in the attack and set up the first goal, but was vulnerable on the counterattack. Luis Aragones has said his team will play more conservative during the World Cup.
The midfield of Cesc-Senna-Albelda simply does not create enough scoring opportunities. I’d much prefer Xavi and Xabi Alonso in for any two of those players.
In the goal, Iker Casillas made a spectacular save off an Egypt header in the 77th minute. That save made up for a poor Casillas pass that went directly to an Egypt forward.
Overall, it was not an impressive performance, but an encouraging one for Spain.