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Spain 1-0 Iraq; “Bombs over Baghdad”

June 18th, 2009 | By: Anthony | 17 Comments »

I don’t want to use any cheesy war jokes but I find Iraq such an interesting nation, no one can knock their fighting spirit. You know how America has been bombing the shit out of them for the past 7 years but still can’t win? Well we did one better – we dominated possession, shots and just about every other statistic imaginable and although it wasn’t an emphatic score line like that against New Zealand, we came away with all three points.

The win meant we have now equalled France and Italy’s record win streaks of 14 consecutive matches. Our unbeaten run has also stretched to an impressive 34 matches but most importantly the win has guaranteed us a place in the semifinals.

A few changes to the lineup as Marchena slid in at centre-back for Raúl Albiol, Piqué replaced Puyol, Cazorla for Fàbregas and Mata for Riera.

Iraq played boring and defensively the whole match but even the best defenses can’t stop La Furia Roja. Overall we did actually play a bit slower too, not sure what it was because we made 4 changes to the starting XI so fatigue shouldn’t have been too much of an issue.

David Villa was clearly the man of the match as he was set up several times by Mata, then Cazorla but just couldn’t execute that final touch.

We headed into the brake unable to break down the Iraqi’s and deadlocked at 0-0. It didn’t take long after the re-start though for El Guaje to finally capitalize on his chances. Joan Capdevila put in another pin-point cross like he did for Torres in the first game except this time it was Villa who got his head on the end of it and put it in the Iraqi goal to put us up deservedly, 1-0.

Before the final whistle we had a few more chances through the likes of Torres, Dani Güiza, Juan Mata and Xabi Alonso but it was nothing doing as the game ended 1-0 in our favour.

Villa’s goal means he is now the second highest goal scorer in Spanish history only behind Real Madrid captain Raúl.

We now focus on our last group match against host nation South Africa where I personally think Vicente del Bosque will rest some of our key players to make sure we’re prepared for the tougher competition from group B.

Speaking of group B, second spot is really up from grabs in regards to who we’re going to play. Egypt’s 1-0 win over Italy today adds some excitement to the tougher of the two groups and maybe we’ll be playing the African Champions next week in the semi-finals. I watched the game and personally thought Egypt looked really solid, especially their goalkeeper. Overall they’re a very determined side who probably did deserve to win against the Azzurri and it may be crucial as Brazil look spoil Italy’s dreams in the final group match.

Regardless of who we play, if we stick to our approach I don’t see a team in this tournament who can match up to us. We’re on top of the world for a reason and I don’t expect to be moved anytime soon.

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Comments

By Seth | June 18th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

lol, and I thought I came off as a complete cocky SOB?

Regardless, I would like to see Spain go all they way and win it (most likely will happen). Spain is the closest thing to Portugal in this tournament and they got my support. Represent Iberia!

Edit- Well technically Brazil is the closest thing to Portugal out there, but I despise the Brazilians as much as I despise the Italians.

By Peter | June 18th, 2009 at 10:13 pm

Keep writing these over-confident articles. It makes the losing article all the more fun to read. When Spain loses at the WC quarterfinals it will as any other Latin country blame it on someone else. Argentina does it, Portugal does it, and Spain’s time will come.

Posted from United States

By alexa | June 18th, 2009 at 10:20 pm

This isn’t over-confidence. This is the truth.

Posted from United States

By Manuelito | June 18th, 2009 at 10:22 pm

Brazil is gonna school you overconfident sons of ******* nice and good!

By Timothy Lakefront | June 18th, 2009 at 11:29 pm

The record speaks for itself – Euro Cup and breaking records for consecutive wins. If you don’t think La Furia Roja is currently the best team on earth, you’re high. Aupa Espana!

By Anthony | June 19th, 2009 at 3:20 am

I am extremely over-confident, why not right? That’s why I’m the passionate fan and not the coach – nothing I say will ultimately affect the team, I’m just putting my observations out there.

Seth, I agree, as much as I hated to admit it on many occasions, I did support Portugal over teams like Germany and Turkey because when it comes down to it all we’re exactly what you said, more alike than any other teams out there – hermanos siempre.

On another note, well said Timothy, well said.

By Sasha | June 19th, 2009 at 8:26 am

A narrow 1-0 win over Iraq, two lucky 1-0 wins over Turkey and you still talk as though Spain is invincible?

Posted from United States

By Daniel | June 19th, 2009 at 10:24 am

I am a fan of the spanish team and i dont think they have played all that well in this tournament. Yes the scorelines have been strong, the performances have been weak.

Anthony, i have enjoyed reading some of your articles, however to state that Egypt deserved to win against Italia shows me you dont have a clear understanding of the game.

By Sol | June 19th, 2009 at 11:30 am

“Overall we did actually play a bit slower too, not sure what it was because we made 4 changes to the starting XI so fatigue shouldn’t have been too much of an issue.”

After a big meal (5-0 against New Zealand) you’re always a little less hungry for desert. Haha, maybe they should have left something for desert and kept it at 3-0 after Torres’ hattrick. That way Villa might have been a bit more hungry and precise in his finishing. Torres was already full anyway. He’ll be hungry again in the semis (I assume he gets rested next match).

Posted from Netherlands

By Sol | June 19th, 2009 at 11:44 am

And naturally, Spain isn’t invincible, it’s just doing very well. But it’s been a while since you’ve faced really strong opponents. So who knows…

Spain – Brazil will tell, it also might show you some defects in your defense. I think you might have some trouble against Brazil in your right-back, just a hunch.

I’m hoping for it, cause that’s Robben’s side on the Dutch team.

Posted from Netherlands

By T4ever | June 21st, 2009 at 9:22 am

Spain is acting like they are invincible. Beating New Zealand, Iraq and South Africa is no big deal. Any second or third tier European team will beat these mickey mouse outfits. Iraq did not qualify for the World Cup and South Africa is not one of the top 10 sides in Africa. The less said about New Zealand the better they are simply a disgrace.

Germany and Italy have been competing at the top level of international football for over 30 years. Spain did well at the Euros but have not dominated like Germany, Italy or even France. Spain are the new kids on the block and have to perform at the top level for a period of at least 10 years. They have only won one title and do not know what it is like to have teams really want to stuff them. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame now as the big boys will be back to reclaim their place when it matters.

Posted from United Kingdom

By 9 Champions Leagues | June 23rd, 2009 at 4:54 pm

lol new kids on the block…as if the league wasn’t rated number 1 for long….

Germany and Italy have competed for longer…yes they’ve been more successful but Spain has always been rated among the world’s best, now its a different story, not only does Spain win, but they convince, not like the italian diving team and german hoofballing, this my friends, is the school of football and the world avails my words. Mind to say there was a time in history when Romania, Soviet Union, Bulgaria were the most feared squads…and now what. Spain proved how to school italy and germany, now if such teams want to park in the box….any team can freeze a match if they dont try to attack, but once la furia roja plays someone who hopes to win…that’s when they open up space and the tiki taka rules.

Don’t be haters, just enjoy and learn.

Posted from Spain

By Sol | June 24th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

You didn’t school Italy or France, we did. You barely got passed them with penalties (Italy). Can’t remember when you had a non-friendly against France.

You did School Russia of course, something we failed to do.

Anywayz, glad to see my prediction about your right-back side was correct and good news for Robben.

Posted from Netherlands

By Sol | June 24th, 2009 at 6:32 pm

Oops, read France instead of Germany. Then again, you didn’t really school Germany either, you won what, 1-0? Allthough I do think you dominated that match, but that scoreline just doesn’t count as “schooling” somebody.

Posted from Netherlands

By Dan | June 25th, 2009 at 7:19 am

Let’s see your article on yesterday’s loss…..how confident are you now?And get your war facts right….the U.S. hasn’t been bombing Iraq for 7 years. If we did their would be no country left. We have been trying to set up a democracy in their country with as few casualties as possible. Whether we believe in that or not we are not fighting most of Iraq just some insurgents that shoot and run.

By Svelt | June 25th, 2009 at 7:23 am

I agree, Dan, but we are talking about football here and not wars even though I can understand when people report on what they have no knowledge of. If the U.S. wanted to destroy Iraq it would have been done in days.

By Uncle Sam | June 26th, 2009 at 3:24 am

Dropping Bombs Over Madrid!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!

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