Three days of absence later this blog returns. My midblog hiatus can best be explained by me enjoying summer a bit too much. And with the weather we have had this spring and summer in Toronto, can you blame me ?
Anyhow, lots has happened, tonnes of goals and fair number of exciting games.
Portugal opened the floodgates against North Korea in spectacular fashion. Not since Germany crushed Saudi Arabia 8-0 in 2002, has a World Cup match ended with such a cricket score of a scoreline.
Cristiano Ronaldo finally scored an international goal after 18 months, T(h)iago Silva scored twice and Raul Meireles, Liedson, Simao Sabrosa and Hugo Almeida all hit the target. Everyone scored, everyone chipped in. The defence had little to do.
Portugal were flowing and smooth, running into top gear from the opening kick off. North Korea were found wanting and they were shown up as being out of their depth.
I expected North Korea to give a Portugal a harder time but after the second goal went in, they seemed to give up. Their defensive organization was amateur.
For Portugal, a great result but merely a tonic since harder tests lie in wait, especially Brazil in their next and final group game. Great game to put their shooting boots on and get some much needed target practice.
Too many goals, watch the final highlights:
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Chile beat Switzerland in another tight but assured performance that finally paid dividends in the 75th minute when Premiership reject Mark Gonzalez headed in a cross from the right. Swiss marking was a bit lax and three Swiss defenders were in the 6 yard box around the goal but none picked up Gonzalez at the far post.
Switzerland were well organized but a bit too defensive. I understand this approach against a blockbuster attacking team like Spain; but against Chile, who although composed in possession, are no offensive thunderstorm; a slightly more positive approach is required.
In the event, Switzerland created nothing and contributed less to the game. Despite the impressive defensive record, it was only a matter of time before Chile picked a hole in the defence. Switzerland set a new record for minutes without conceding a goal, but you know they would have wanted at least a point from the game, more than that.
Chile always looked more likely to score and almost did so when an Alexis Sanchez shot sneaked in through a crowd of players. However, having nicked a Chilean forward en route to the net, it was ruled offside. Good decision. Of additional note, and what may have tipped the tight game in Chile's favour, was the dismissal of Valon Bahrami for elbowing two Chilean players on the near touchline. Another good decision by the Saudi Arabian referee. Later when Nelson Vidal engaged in some argy bargy with the Swiss defence, he could have evened things up with another red card, but only brandished a yellow.
That second decision along with his pedantic propensity to deal out cards, spoiled an otherwise decent performance from him.
Chile looked slick, efficient and well on course for an unexpectedly deep run in the tournament. They still have to avoid defeat against Spain, but look the part of a round of 16 team.
The folks at www.zonalmarking.net should feel more vindicated.
Full Highlights:
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Spain put their nightmare opening game behind them and utterly dominated Honduras to win this game. How they only scored two goals will remain something of a mystery. I felt they were guilty of either overplaying the ball from promising positions within the box or of shooting a bit to early when another pass would have set them up just fine.
In fact, both of Spain's goals came from plays that may not have resulted in goals in other games. David Villa was off balance for the first and although the ball tucked beautifully into the top corner, it could easily have gone over. For his second, his shot was well hit but it deflected off Osman Chavez's shoulder on its way to the net. When Villa was presented with a simple penalty to seal his hat trick, he hit it narrowly wide.
Still, despite the scoreline being kept lower than their play merited, Spain impressed. Their pressing, passing and movement both on and off the ball are a joy to behold. it is this style of play that has many neutrals, including this blogger, tipping them for the World Cup. Put simply, I want them to win the World Cup.
Honduras were second to almost every ball and had little answer to the deft passing displayed by La Furia Roja. They did well to keep the score down. Elimination from this group is no dishonor, they've been outplayed in both their games but not humiliated.
I just hope that Spain's ability to create chances but not score does not come back to haunt them. Creativity is not an infinite well.
Full highlights:
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