Timely Spain find form
Timely Spain find form
Also In The News
|
The World Cup appears to have lost a little of its fizz in the last few days. |  |
Thursday, 08, Jun 2006 10:12
Perennial underachievers Spain ensured they head into the World Cup brimming with confidence after a Fernando Torres stoppage-time winner saw them win their final warm-up friendly against Croatia in Geneva.
The 2-1 victory ensured Spain, coached by the controversial but successful Luis Aragones, are now unbeaten in 22 matches and will kick off against group H opponents Ukraine in Leipzig on June 14th as one of the tournament's leading contenders to go all the way.
Spain have historically failed to produce the goods on the biggest stage but this Aragones-sculpted team is resilient as well as creative and last night's performance sent out a stark reminder to the other teams that they will not crumble so easily in Germany.
Croatia, who open their own World Cup account against the mighty Brazil in Berlin on June 13th, took the lead last night when Spain's centre-back Pablo Ibanez got caught off balance before heading into his own net in the 14th minute.
Spain proceeded to dominate the match with Jose Antonio Reyes and Joaquin starring in the new 4-4-2 formation but, despite their opponents' defensive frailties, they failed to secure a breakthrough until the hour mark.
Debutant left-back Mariano Pernia, a late replacement for the injured Asier del Horno, struck a seemingly innocuous free-kick which somehow found its way through a crowded penalty box and past keeper Stipe Pletikosa at the far post.
Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar was left fuming but his night was to get worse as the highly-rated Torres, who earlier had a 75th minute penalty saved, made amends with a wonderful solo goal in injury time to secure victory.
Speaking afterwards, Aragones reiterated his belief that Spain can remove their underachieving reputation and triumph this summer.
"I'm pleased with the way we came back from the two setbacks of the own goal and the missed penalty," he told reporters. "These are the sort of things that can happen in the World Cup and it shows the team is convinced it can win."