AUSTRALIA vs. SPAIN
Date: June 23, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena da Baixada, Curitiba
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): N/A
Last Match: N/A
Line: Spain -220
Group B Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Australia (62nd), Spain (1st)
Managers: Ange Postecoglou (AUS), Vicente del Bosque (ESP)
Captains: Mile Jedinak (AUS), Iker Casillas (ESP)
World Cup Appearances: 4 (AUS), 14 (ESP)
Best Finish: Australia (Round of 16, 2006), Spain (Champions, 2010)
Qualifying Records: Australia (8-2-4, GF: 25, GA: 12), Spain (6-0-2, GF: 14, GA: 3)
Previous Game Results
Australia
Spain
June 13th - Netherlands def. Spain 5-1
June 18th - Chile def. Spain 2-0
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Note: Both teams are eliminated already. As this is their last game, I'm not including yellow cards since it doesn't really matter if one is picked up this match.
Spain: David de Gea (Questionable - Hip), Gerard Pique (Questionable - Leg)
Overview
The word pride is getting thrown around a lot in this game and that's certainly what it's about for Spain. Australia expected to be where it is and has won over fans with their determination and effort in this tournament. Spain on the other hand have been embarrassed and have one last chance to show the world they can still play at the level we've seen over the past 6+ years.
It's a potential crossroads for Spain and will be interesting to see what they throw out in the way of a starting lineup this game. There are a number of young and inexperienced players on the bench that Spain may utilize in this game for experience. Or it may be a sendoff for their veterans. Xabi Alonso has already said he may retire from international soccer post-tournament which could be the case for other players as well.
Regardless of lineup, Spain will be favoured against an Australia team missing their best player Tim Cahill. Cahill picked up yellow cards in his first two group matches and his tournament (and international career, potentially) are done. A bright spark for Australia on offence, scoring in both games, Australia may find it tough to manufacture quality chances, as odd as that sounds facing a team that gave up 7 goals in 2 games so far in Brazil.
Not the must-see game today as it goes at the same time as Netherlands-Chile but one to keep an eye on to see if Spain can rebound and salvage something from this tournament or if their fantastic collapse is completed by a scrappy Australian squad.
Personnel
In the Australian Third: Spain didn't look terrible against Chile in this part of the field. No finishing touch and Chile stacked the box at times but it wasn't all gloom for Spain. Australia have been keeping numbers back and still surrendered 3 goals in each of their first 2 games. Advantage: Spain
In the Midfield: Tiki-taka may be dead and gone but this is still a Spanish team capable of freely moving the ball around and controlling the midfield. Australian pressure gave the Dutch problems in the midfield but Spain are a different animal. Will be interesting to see if Australia are willing to pressure heavily as they did last game and risk exposure at the back. Advantage: Spain, but Australia may be able to give them problems.
In the Spanish Third: Different game for Australia without Cahill up top in their formation. No other proven entities in the attack and hard to replace a guy who can score in about every way imaginable. Spain's central defence in particular has been AWFUL, but no one on Australia to capitalize on that. Advantage: Even, because let me repeat, Spain's defence is AWFUL.
Goalkeeping: Don't think del Bosque can put Casillas anywhere near goal at this point. de Gea fighting an injury so Pepe Reina should be the choice in goal. Maty Ryan has let in a pair of softies this tournament and is very inexperienced. If Reina/de Gea in goal, Advantage: Spain. If Casillas is in goal, Advantage: Nobody.
It's a potential crossroads for Spain and will be interesting to see what they throw out in the way of a starting lineup this game. There are a number of young and inexperienced players on the bench that Spain may utilize in this game for experience. Or it may be a sendoff for their veterans. Xabi Alonso has already said he may retire from international soccer post-tournament which could be the case for other players as well.
Regardless of lineup, Spain will be favoured against an Australia team missing their best player Tim Cahill. Cahill picked up yellow cards in his first two group matches and his tournament (and international career, potentially) are done. A bright spark for Australia on offence, scoring in both games, Australia may find it tough to manufacture quality chances, as odd as that sounds facing a team that gave up 7 goals in 2 games so far in Brazil.
Not the must-see game today as it goes at the same time as Netherlands-Chile but one to keep an eye on to see if Spain can rebound and salvage something from this tournament or if their fantastic collapse is completed by a scrappy Australian squad.
Personnel
In the Australian Third: Spain didn't look terrible against Chile in this part of the field. No finishing touch and Chile stacked the box at times but it wasn't all gloom for Spain. Australia have been keeping numbers back and still surrendered 3 goals in each of their first 2 games. Advantage: Spain
In the Midfield: Tiki-taka may be dead and gone but this is still a Spanish team capable of freely moving the ball around and controlling the midfield. Australian pressure gave the Dutch problems in the midfield but Spain are a different animal. Will be interesting to see if Australia are willing to pressure heavily as they did last game and risk exposure at the back. Advantage: Spain, but Australia may be able to give them problems.
In the Spanish Third: Different game for Australia without Cahill up top in their formation. No other proven entities in the attack and hard to replace a guy who can score in about every way imaginable. Spain's central defence in particular has been AWFUL, but no one on Australia to capitalize on that. Advantage: Even, because let me repeat, Spain's defence is AWFUL.
Goalkeeping: Don't think del Bosque can put Casillas anywhere near goal at this point. de Gea fighting an injury so Pepe Reina should be the choice in goal. Maty Ryan has let in a pair of softies this tournament and is very inexperienced. If Reina/de Gea in goal, Advantage: Spain. If Casillas is in goal, Advantage: Nobody.
Australia will win if:
Tighten defensively to prevent Spain from weaving and passing their way through their back line. Effort and heart get you far but can't win in the World Cup surrendering 3 goals a game. Offensively, get the balls high up to the wings and try to attack head-on a very slow Spanish defence.
Spain will win if:
Remember who you are. The top-ranked team in the world who could pass their way out of a phonebooth and wear teams down with constant ball movement. This is too good a team to leave Brazil without a single win and they won't have an easier opponent to pick up a victory against. Forget the embarrassment, play like they can and they'll get a win.
Spain run out an equal mix of aging veterans in their potential last games and players glued to the bench so far this tournament. Australia can't keep them at bay and struggle without Cahill. Still manage a goal though because Spain apparently don't do defence any more.
Spain 3-1 Australia
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