Gunfighter 09 said:So, who is beating this team next year?
I don't understand how it was even possible to get that ball over the cross-bar. You could give him 20 tries and I think 19 are in the net.McBride11 said:holy crap David Luiz. Incredible recovery
I think the guy across the field kept him on but it was close.DennyDoyle'sBoil said:I don't understand how it was even possible to get that ball over the cross-bar. You could give him 20 tries and I think 19 are in the net.
Beautiful finish, but am I the only one who thinks Neymar did not get back onside?
DennyDoyle'sBoil said:I don't understand how it was even possible to get that ball over the cross-bar. You could give him 20 tries and I think 19 are in the net.
Beautiful finish, but am I the only one who thinks Neymar did not get back onside?
lars10 said:I think the guy across the field kept him on but it was close.
Ok. I buy it. Great play.ypioca said:
That recovery was more spectacular than any goal in the competition.
And he did get back onside, they showed the replay. Had the pass come a second before, he would have been offside by like five feet.
McBride11 said:Not looking like anyone. Maybe the Germans or Dutch could give it a go. Likely the squads with the skill AND size to put up a fight. Not having watched much of the early Confed games I am shocked by the physicality Brasil is displaying.
Only themselves. No one can hang with this.Gunfighter 09 said:So, who is beating this team next year?
Gunfighter 09 said:So, who is beating this team next year?
hunter05 said:Neymar, goddamn.
McBride11 said:Couple of lucky bounces and Fred may have handled it when he fell. But goal is a goal.
First one allowed by Spa since Donovan in a major tourney. That's incredible.
Mr. Wednesday said:Spain conceded a goal during the last World Cup when they were beaten by Switzerland. There has to be a little more to that "first" than just first goal allowed.
Gunfighter 09 said:So, who is beating this team next year?
teddykgb said:Absolutely stunning by Luiz. A player I generally detest, but a magnificent play.
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:Brazil looked fantastic but lets not get carried away. Germany is absolutely stacked, disappointing results in Euro 2012 notwithstanding, and, unlike Spain, all their key players will be smack in the middle of their prime next summer. On a neutral field, I don't see Brazil as favorites over them. It won't be a neutral field, which is obviously huge, but there is not a significant enough talent gap between Brazil and other top teams to view them as overwhelming favorites, even at home.
Vinho Tinto said:I'd add that Brazil did not dominate as handily as the 3-0 scoreline indicated. Spain was creating chances in the second half, but as perfectly illustrated by Ramos's penalty it wasn't their day.
Vinho Tinto said:I'd add that Brazil did not dominate as handily as the 3-0 scoreline indicated. Spain was creating chances in the second half, but as perfectly illustrated by Ramos's penalty it wasn't their day. Shots on goal were nearly identical and Spain had an 8-1 advantage on corners. Both of Fred's goals could have been stopped (Does Diego Lopez make those saves? I keed I keed!). In a World Cup final, I don't think Spain gets the same level of intimidating home crowd (Too many comped tickets are distributed) which may not allow them to super kick Spain's shins and ankles with aplomb. The jaw dropping defensive gaffes put on a nice spotlight on the defense. Once they got past teams they have a definitive talent advantage against (Japan and Mexico) they began to allow excellent scoring chances and goals.
I disagree with Alexi Lalas that Brazil could benefit from more adversity. While most of the players on the team are new to the Selecao, they are aware of the recent failures and will not be over confident next summer. Yesterday's win gives them and the home fans belief that they can win #6.
loafnut said:I think the penalty kick was pretty much a dive, so justice was served with the miss. Spain is a great team, but this was as lopsided a game as you will see by two top teams. Spain seemed to realize they were outclassed fairly quickly and just started diving in hopes of drawing some cards to slow down Brazil's physical play. Brazil just looked more energetic, stronger, bigger, faster, and as skilled.
Spain is not old, though they looked it, and after this game and the Bayern Munich-Barcelona debacle, I think there are some major questions there. Hopefully they get worked out before the world cup. I was not sold on this Brazil side, and I guess I'm still not sure if this is a product of a terrible performance by Spain or a great one by Brazil.
bosox4283 said:These last two posts about Spain were great. Thanks for sharing.
I completely agree with your assessment about Arbeloa and Javi Martinez. Arbeloa does not offer the offensive potential and the defensive stability the team needs. Is Azpilicueta the answer? If not, does Del Bosque give Juanfran another shot, or does Del Bosque opt for a player from the U-21 squad?
And, yes, Del Bosque needs to find a place for Javi Martinez on the pitch. Is Javi Martinez better than Busquets at this point? Should Martinez place in place of Busquets, or is there an opportunity for both to play at the same time in the double pivot?
I agree, and gave both of them membership.bosox4283 said:These last two posts about Spain were great. Thanks for sharing.
I completely agree with your assessment about Arbeloa and Javi Martinez. Arbeloa does not offer the offensive potential and the defensive stability the team needs. Is Azpilicueta the answer? If not, does Del Bosque give Juanfran another shot, or does Del Bosque opt for a player from the U-21 squad?
And, yes, Del Bosque needs to find a place for Javi Martinez on the pitch. Is Javi Martinez better than Busquets at this point? Should Martinez place in place of Busquets, or is there an opportunity for both to play at the same time in the double pivot?
sdiaz1 said:I think you bring up a lot of good points, but I have to strongly disagree with the notion that Xavi needs to be an untouchable part of the midfield going forward. With the admission that I did not watch too much La Liga this season (BeIn was not offered by Verizon in my area until well after Jose Mourinho completely crushed my soul/interest in my club) I have not seen the majestic top-form Xavi in quite some time and it seems that every time I watch him play (typically I watch 20+ Barca matches a season and every competitive Spain match), the little white devil (iniesta) just outshines him in everyway and is the one who creates the majority of opportunities. Also it is not like Alonso or Martinez are not excellent passers of the ball as well (obviously not the same style or class as Xavi was maybe still is) so I feel that sacrificing Xavi to get more defensive steel, structure, maintain more possession, and to create a different style of outlet (Xabi's long diagonal balls to a Pedro or Navas could really change things up and keep the opposition back line uneasy) may be worth it. Of course my opinion could be wrong.
As far as Spain's future right back is concerned my guess is that will be Daniel Carvajal and not Azpilicueta. But yeah anyone but the Yankees - I mean anyone but Arbeloa.
URI said:I agree, and gave both of them membership.
Actually the rest of BRazil's defense was caught up field and Luiz was back defending a 2v1, in which case he took the man he was supposed to, the one with the ball. 1 of the 4 defenders for Brazil did their job on the play, it was Luizsoxfan121 said:Agreed, although he was beaten rather badly on the initial pass (not shown in the Chelsea PR gif) and slowed, then realized he needed to hustle and did, making a great play in the end.
DLew On Roids said:
A lot will depend on if they're allowed to get away with playing over the line the way they did today. The ref was way out of his depth.