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