FORTALEZA, Brazil: Buoyed by their record-breaking 10-0 rout of Tahiti at the Confederations Cup, Spain approach in today’s final Group B fixture against Nigeria needing just a point to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Thursday’s thrashing of the Pacific islanders made Spain the first team to win a game by a 10-goal margin at the finals of a FIFA tournament, and only the second to score 10 after Hungary’s 10-1 thrashing of El Salvador at the 1982 World Cup.
Fernando Torres scored four goals, and David Villa three, but perhaps the most pleasing aspect for coach Vicente del Bosque was the fact he was able to rest almost his entire first-choice starting XI.
Of the team that began the opening 2-1 win over Uruguay, only centre-back Sergio Ramos kept his place, and the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas could all return against Nigeria.
Del Bosque’s shrewd squad management was a key feature of Spain’s successes at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, and midfielder David Silva says rotation is something the players fully accept.
“We’re always ready to step up when we get the chance,” said the Manchester City midfielder, who scored twice in the Tahiti romp.
Spain’s strong start to the tournament means they go into today’s match at Fortaleza’s Estadio Castelao within touching distance of the last four.
Although they require a point to make sure of a semi-final place, they would need to lose to Nigeria by at least four goals to stand any chance of being overhauled.
The situation is rather more taxing for Stephen Keshi’s Nigeria, who were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in Salvador on Thursday and enter today’s game level on points with the South American champions. If Uruguay, as expected, record a handsome win over Tahiti, Nigeria will only be able to reach the last four with a victory over the world and European champions, but coach Keshi says he has not given up hope.
“Everything is achievable,” he said.
Keshi’s plans for the game have been complicated by an injury to AC Milan forward Nnamdi Oduamadi, scorer of a hat-trick in the 6-1 win over Tahiti, who had to come off against Uruguay with an apparent ankle injury.
Del Bosque is expected to recall his leading lights, but Torres and Villa will each hope they have done enough to be selected ahead of Valencia striker Roberto Soldado. Meanwhile, Tahiti will bow out today after facing Uruguay to end what was a romantic adventure even if they slid to a record 10-0 loss to Spain along the way.
Despite that hiding, Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta says it has been worth making the trip.
“We have been pleasantly surprised with our experiences in Brazil as, despite our losses, the people have been right behind us. We have won their hearts,” said Etaeta, whose team suffered a record loss in FIFA tournament history against the rampant Spanish world champions.
Their first outing had brought a 6-1 loss to Nigeria and now the Uruguayans, having beaten the African side, will look for an easy win as they attempt to deny Nigeria second spot in Group B and with it a place in the semi-finals.
The Uruguayans, struggling to impress in the Latin American zonal qualifying tournament for next year’s World Cup finals which Brazil will also host, hope that their win over Nigeria will provide a springboard as they look to recapture the form they showed in winning the Copa America in 2011.
“We are on track for a place in the last four,” said coach Oscar Tabarez, who believes veteran striker Diego Forlan can pull more goals out of the hat after his winner against Nigeria.
Agencies
