Spain see off France in Paris (Highlights): World Cup favourites?

They have to be don't they? Tonight Spain conquered the Saint Denis Stadium with a fully deserved 2-0 victory over 1998 World Cup winners France. Vicente del Bosque had surprised some with his decision to start with one upfront, and with Cesc Fabregas in for Xavi, in a 4-2-3-1 formation. But if you can't experiment now, when can you? It wasn't a vintage Spain display by any means but two goals in the first half from David Villa (who else?) and Sergio Ramos saw Spain go in at half-time with the game pretty much sewn up.

They lacked their usual fluency in the middle, perhaps suggesting Fabregas isn't quite ready to fill Xavis boots in the national side, but they were still too good for a pretty organised French team. France had the better of the opening exchanges, creating a couple of dangerous moments, but once Spain got into their stride, the home team were chasing shadows. David Villa latched onto an Iniesta throughball to slot past Lloris for the first, a typically calm finish from the Valencia hotshot, while Sergio Ramos' deflected strike put Spain out of sight on the stroke of half-time. All eyes had been on Frank Ribery before the match, but the man widely expected to join Real Madrid this summer was conspicuous by his absence. Infact, only Patrice Evra looked like he would be worthy of a position in this Spain team.

The second half wasn't particularly pleasing on the eye, and with substitute Fernando Torres not quite having the same effect Villa had in the first, you would have to think Del Bosque would opt for Villa if he ever had to roll out this formation in the World Cup. How many national sides could possible conceive leaving out Cesc and Torres? Iker Casillas, on his record-equalling 102nd appearance (level with Raul and only behind Zubizarreta who has 126), was rarely troubled with a Malouda header which struck a post, the only moment Pique, Puyol or Albiol looked ruffled. Another Real Madrid target Jesus Navas came on for a cameo towards the end, but shot wide with his only presentable opportunity with only seconds remaining. So Spain march on towards South Africa, with only Brazil looking capable of giving them a run for their money.

Spain give it a Viennese Whirl: Austria 1 - 5 Spain

When Spain get the sewing machine out and start threading those patterns they are simply unstoppable. Austria even had the cheek to gatecrash their own party with an early goal through Jantschner in the 7th minute, but that was as good as it got for the hosts as Spain grabbed hold of the ball and refused to give it back. At times the passing was irresistable, with Andrés Iniesta embodying all that is beautiful about the great game. Effortless touch, eagle-eyed vision and the ability to thread a ball through the tightest of holes. An absolute joy to watch.

The Austrian lead lasted all of three minutes. As great teams do, Spain refused to panic in what was a fantastic atmosphere for a friendly. When a defender tripped on the ball just outside his area, David Silva picked it up and slid it through to Cesc, who danced through the backline to wrongfoot the keeper and sidefoot in. Ten minutes later they were ahead, with Iniesta the creator: an inch-perfect angled pass through to Villa who just doesn't miss, firing across Gratzei and into the corner. Austria had no choice but to resort to a physical approach, but things got even harder for the home side after Pehlivan was harshly sent off for a robust yet innocuous challenge on Sergio Busquets.

Just before half-time, Spain worked another fantastic goal which was almost a carbon copy of the second. This time it was Silva who spotted Villa's run and weighted a glorious pass which the Valencia hitman rolled under the goalie. At half-time Del Bosque withdrew Iniesta, Xavi, Villa, Silva and Casillas and introduced Pablo Hernandez, Jesus Navas, Güiza, Negredo and Reina, but it did little to interrupt the Spanish dominance. In the space of a minute 'La Roja' were suddenly 5-1 up, as Fenerbache striker Güiza and Pablo Hernandez upped their World Cup stakes with strikes in the 56th and 57th minute. And although Spain had further chances to increase their lead, the scoreline didn't budge. Spain end 2009 just as they started it: unbeatable. On to 2010......

International Friendly: (Highlights below)
Austria 1 - 5 Spain

African World Cup Playoff:
Algeria 1 - 0 Eygpt (Algeria qualify for World Cup)

European World Cup Playoffs:
Ukraine 0 - 1 Greece (Greece qualify for World Cup)
Bosnia 0 - 1 Portugal (Portugal qualify for World Cup)
Slovenia 1 - 0 Russia (Slovenia qualify for World Cup on away goals rule)
France 1 - 1 Ireland AET (France qualify for World Cup)

South/Central America Playoff:
Uruguay 1 - 1 Costa Rica (Uruguay qualify for World Cup)

Spain v Austria and World Cup Playoffs 18.11.09

Tonight sees Spain make a return to the Euro 2008 battleground, where they emerged triumphant winners against the Germans 17 months ago. Austria will welcome 'La Roja' to the Ernst Happel Stadium for an international friendly that will enable the Spanish to relive that glorious summers night in Vienna. A few faces have changed since then, with coach Luis Aragonés having left to be replaced by current incumbent Vicente Del Bosque, but the footballing philosophy remains very much the same.

Barcelona defender Carlos Puyol has muscle problems, so Raul Albiol will take his place in defence. Cesc Fabregas is expected to partner Xavi in midfield, sitting Xabi Alonso on the bench, whilst David Villa will get a chance to taste the Ernst Happel atmosphere he was so cruely denied in 2008. The man who set Spain on the road to glory in that final, Fernando Torres, unfortunately misses out through injury.

For Dietmar Constantini's Austria, this is their moment of glory for 2009 after they failed to make it to the World Cup. Many will predict a hammering for Austria, much like the one they received in Valencia in 1999 when they were beaten 9-0, but they will be keen to avoid a humiliation infront of their home fans. The only danger expected to be posed by the Austrians comes in the shape of Red Bull Salzburg's striker Marc Janko, who has scored 7 in the last 14 outings for his country.

Away from all this international friendliness, there are far more important matches taking place across the world tonight. The final six places are up for grabs in next summer's World Cup, and all the playoffs are still firmly in the balance. First up is Eygpt and Algeria who will play their sudden death playoff in Sudan amidst a security lockdown after trouble erupted last time out in Cairo when the Algeria team bus was attacked by Eygpt fans.

Then the duels in Europe take centre stage, and all eyes will be on France and Portugal who will be expected to take their places in the South African showpiece, but it certainly wont be plain sailing with both Bosnia and Ireland proving first time around that they can more than match their illustrious opponents. Finally across the Atlantic, Costa Rica will travel to Montevideo to take on Uruguay having lost the first leg 0-1 at home.

African Sudden Death Playoff:
Eygpt - Algeria 6.30pm (Khartoum, Sudan)


European Playoffs:

Ukraine - Greece 7pm (0-0)
Bosnia - Portugal 8.45pm (0-1)
Slovenia - Russia 8.45pm (1-2)
France - Ireland 9pm (1-0)

South/Central American Playoff:
Uruguay - Costa Rica 12am (1-0)

Spain 2 -1 Argentina: Demichelis hands Spain Victory

If this was an international friendly, I cannot wait to see these two lock horns in the heat of a World Cup knockout match. The game flowed from end to end, tackles flew in from all angles, controversy around every corner: pure entertainment. Those lucky 55,000 fans that filled the Vicente Calderón were treated to some scintillating football, high-octane emotion and unrepentant, hot-blooded challenges. Spain won through 2-1 and in doing so continued an extraordinary run of matches that has seen them lose only to the USA in 43 internationals: an incredible statistic considering that run has included Euro 2008 and the whole qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010.

Spain, who surprised everyone by fielding Sergio Busquets instead of Cesc, dominated the first half by picking Argentina off in their unmistakenly fluent and nonchalent manner, whilst the 'Albiceleste' relied on counter attacks led by Messi, Higuaín and the immensely promising youngster from Benfica, Angel Di María. Spain had already given Argentina a warning in the 6th minute when Xavi missed Silva's cross by a whisker, when they finally moved infront courtesy of Xabi Alonso ten minutes later. The goal was beautifully crafted by Iniesta who played a delightful one-two before threading a ball into the path of David Silva who worked space on a sixpence to escape Demichelis and send an arrowed shot towards Romero. The Argentinian keeper could only parry the ball into the 6-yard box where Alonso got ahead of the centreback to smash the ball in with his left peg.

The second half saw Maradona's men work themselves into the game, mostly through robust tackling and incessant pressure on Spain's midfield wizards from Masherano and Gago. Their equaliser came after 61 minutes when Maxi robbed the ball from Albiol and raced into the box only to be clumsily brought down by the Real Madrid defender in his pursuit to rectify the lapse in concentration. Messi stepped up and slotted the penalty past Iker Casillas, who was celebrating his 100th cap. Argentina had gone missing during some of their qualifying matches, but Diego will be happy with how his team fought their way into the match. There were definite signs that maybe Argentina are beginning to turn a corner.

The game was suddenly wide open, with both sides throwing everything into each challenge. Spain had the best chances with Sergio Ramos wasting a glorious opportunity when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy. But their winning goal duely came with only five minutes remaining when Demichelis handled in the area and Xabi Alonso side-footed an unstoppable penalty into the top-right corner for his second of the night. Jesus Navas finally came on for his debut, and put in a sumptuous cross that Negredo only managed to head into Romero's arms. Demechelis even had the chance to make amends when he made Sergio Ramos' miss look good: heading over from about half a metre out. But Spain held on and celebrated the centenary of the Spanish Football Assocation (RFEF) with a fine win over their fierce rivals from South America.

International Friendly 14.11.09

Spain 2 (Alonso 16, 85 p) Argentina 1 (Messi 61 p)

World Cup Playoffs (First Leg) 14.11.09

Greece 0 - 0 Ukraine
Portugal 1 - 0 Bosnia
Ireland 0 - 1 France
Russia 2 - 1 Slovenia

Costa Rica 0 - 1 Uruguay

Spain v Argentina Preview 14.11.09 (8.45pm, Vicente Calderón)

Tonight the home of Atlético Madrid plays host to Spain v Argentina: a friendly international in name only. Regardless of Argentina's monumental struggle to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa next summer, both are expected to go far, and this match provides the perfect opportunity for either team to gain a psychological advantage before a ball has even been kicked in Johannesburg. Both Diego Maradona and Vicente Del Bosque are expected to send out full strength teams, with Lionel Messi especially under the microscope in his fight to prove to the critical Argentinian public he can transfer his dazzling form with Barca into the national side.

Spain are flying high and will be looking to continue what was a flawless qualifying campaign by swatting Argentina aside as they begin their preparation for South Africa. On paper and on form, you would have to go for a Spain win but any team that contains Higuaín, Agüero, Tevez and Messi is more than capable of causing problems to any team, and Spain's defence will be keen to prove they can cope with the best.

There are no doubts in defence for Spain with Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevila as full backs and Barca's Puyol and Piqué in the centre. Iker Casillas will be celebrating his 100th appearance in 'La Roja' becoming only the third spaniard to do so, following in the illustrious footsteps of Raúl and former keeper Zubizarreta. There are no doubts Xavi, Silva and Iniesta will start in midfield, so the only problem for Del Bosque will be whether to play with one up top which will mean a start for Cesc Fabregas and a return to the formation that served them so well against Russia and Germany in Euro 2008, or play two up-front which will see Negredo start instead of the in-form Arsenal man. It says it all about Spain's strength in depth when they cannot even find a place for Xavi Alonso: an embarrassment of riches. Jesus Navas will also be warming the bench, but will be hoping to play some part in the match, and in the process make his much-anticipated debut.

Argentina, in comparison, have never settled on a starting eleven throughout Maradona's reign, with an extraordinary 78 players having been fielded in his short time as manager. Neither do they appear to have a fixed style of play, and seem to rely on individual flashes of brilliance to get through games. This is Diego's chance to find solutions, find a settled first eleven and build up steam before next summers party in South Africa. Messi will be wanting to shine against his host country, whilst Sergio 'El Kun' Agüero will be even closer to home in the Vicente Calderón, although he is likely to start on the bench. It will be interesting to see if the 'Albiceleste' start to play with the freedom and attacking verve Messi and co. so desparately need, now they have removed the weight of doubt surrounding their qualification for the World Cup.


Next years World Cup final dress rehearsal? Who's to know, but it promises to be an intriguing clash.

Watch Spain v Argentina live at (20.45 GMT+1) HERE

Jesus Navas earns call-up: Spain v Argentina 14.11.09

Today Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque named his squad for the two friendlies against Argentina and Austria. The first tie is a mouthwatering prospect against Maradona's Argentina side, fresh from scraping into the 2010 World Cup after defeating Uruguay in their final group stage clash, with the match honouring the 100 year anniversary of the Spanish Football Federation. Del Bosque's boys will then travel down to Vienna (Ernst Happel Stadium), where Spain will have more than fond memories of that historic Euro 2008 victory over Germany.

Novelties in the Spain squad have been hard to come by since that win (must be the hardest squad in world football to break into), but todays announcement saw the introduction of  'speedy-gonzalez' Jesus Navas into the 'La Roja' set-up. People have been clamouring for Navas' inclusion for some time, but as a result of anxiety attacks and chronic homesickness, Sevilla have been holding him back in an attempt to cure the problem. Recently he made it clear he felt he had overcome these unfortunate obstacles and was ready for a call-up, and good old Vicente hasnt let him down. The boy who used to find youth matches so easy he dribbled around the puddles, has his chance to transfer his red-hot league form into international football.

More information on Jesus Navas HERE  (Courtesy of Wikipedia)


Spain Squad to face Argentina (14 Nov) and Austria (18Nov):

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina(Liverpool) and Diego López (Villarreal).

Defenders: Raúl Albiol (Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Andoni Iraola (Athletic), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Piqué (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona) and Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fábregas (Arsenal), Xavi Hernández (Barcelona) and Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona).

Forwards: Dani Güiza (Fenerbahce), Pablo Hernández (Valencia), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), David Silva (Valencia), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla) and David Villa (Valencia)