MADRID—Spain and Honduras met for their second game at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and in a very similar situation where only victory would do.
After the 1–0 defeat against Switzerland, the Spanish side was hungry to score, and Honduras had to feel the same way. Against all odds, the Honduran coach used an attacking scheme that ultimately paved the way for the Spanish strikers.
By the 12th minute, Spain already had three chances to score: a call for a penalty not given, a Fernando Torres header from a brilliant pass by Sergio Ramos, and David Villa’s shot against the crossbar. This reflected the anger and aggressiveness that fueled the attack of “The Red.”
The repositioning of Villa on left wing, and Jesus Navas on the right wing, opened the field by creating gaps in the Honduran defense that the new FC Barcelona player would soon seize.
In his best move of the night, Villa managed to penetrate the area between two defenders and dribble past another one to finally guide the ball into the goal, while falling down. It was the first goal for the Spaniards in this World Cup, which was celebrated by “El Guaje” (Villa’s nickname) with a bullfighter’s move at the shouting of Olé!
If the first part of the game had been a storm of opportunities for the Spanish team, the second was to become the real flood. Honduras changed its scheme to a 4–3–3, which is even more attack-minded to put increased pressure on the Spanish defense.
Spain mounted numerous defense counterattacks, culminating in the 52nd minute with a move initiated by Xavi, and finished by Villa. Villa’s shot from the top of the 18-yard box deflected off a Honduran defender and into the net.
With this second goal, moving to the next stage for Spain looked more achievable, but for the Spanish players, it was not enough.
Ten minutes after the goal, Navas was fouled in the box and a penalty was given against Honduras. The Spanish players asked the hero of the night to culminate his superb performance with a hat trick.
Villa stepped up but tried to be too careful with the ball, and it went out wide past the right post.
Spain continued to make the Honduran goalkeeper work till the last moment. In the end, Noel Valladares faced 22 shots, seven of which were on goal. This statistic sums up perfectly the will of the Spanish team, but also their lack of precision.
“We have failed again with many chances, but the result is good, although insufficient,” said Villa in his first statement after the end of the game.
The Barcelona striker complained of not having managed to score the penalty, which would have made him the Spanish player with most goals in the World Cup.
Spain next faces Chile on Friday. The Chileans beat Switzerland 1–0 after Valon Behrami was sent off for the Swiss. Chile leads Group H with six points while Spain and Switzerland each have three. Honduras has no points.
Looking ahead to Chile, Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque said on FIFA.com, “I felt that we were too open and very vulnerable, and if we play like that against Chile, we could be made to suffer. Why? Because they’re a very active and aggressive team who are very difficult to get at.”
“What matters is that our fate’s in our hands now. The team has found the path to follow and the only thing we need to improve is our finishing,” said Sergio Ramos.
After the 1–0 defeat against Switzerland, the Spanish side was hungry to score, and Honduras had to feel the same way. Against all odds, the Honduran coach used an attacking scheme that ultimately paved the way for the Spanish strikers.
By the 12th minute, Spain already had three chances to score: a call for a penalty not given, a Fernando Torres header from a brilliant pass by Sergio Ramos, and David Villa’s shot against the crossbar. This reflected the anger and aggressiveness that fueled the attack of “The Red.”
The repositioning of Villa on left wing, and Jesus Navas on the right wing, opened the field by creating gaps in the Honduran defense that the new FC Barcelona player would soon seize.
In his best move of the night, Villa managed to penetrate the area between two defenders and dribble past another one to finally guide the ball into the goal, while falling down. It was the first goal for the Spaniards in this World Cup, which was celebrated by “El Guaje” (Villa’s nickname) with a bullfighter’s move at the shouting of Olé!
If the first part of the game had been a storm of opportunities for the Spanish team, the second was to become the real flood. Honduras changed its scheme to a 4–3–3, which is even more attack-minded to put increased pressure on the Spanish defense.
Spain mounted numerous defense counterattacks, culminating in the 52nd minute with a move initiated by Xavi, and finished by Villa. Villa’s shot from the top of the 18-yard box deflected off a Honduran defender and into the net.
With this second goal, moving to the next stage for Spain looked more achievable, but for the Spanish players, it was not enough.
Ten minutes after the goal, Navas was fouled in the box and a penalty was given against Honduras. The Spanish players asked the hero of the night to culminate his superb performance with a hat trick.
Villa stepped up but tried to be too careful with the ball, and it went out wide past the right post.
Spain continued to make the Honduran goalkeeper work till the last moment. In the end, Noel Valladares faced 22 shots, seven of which were on goal. This statistic sums up perfectly the will of the Spanish team, but also their lack of precision.
“We have failed again with many chances, but the result is good, although insufficient,” said Villa in his first statement after the end of the game.
The Barcelona striker complained of not having managed to score the penalty, which would have made him the Spanish player with most goals in the World Cup.
Spain next faces Chile on Friday. The Chileans beat Switzerland 1–0 after Valon Behrami was sent off for the Swiss. Chile leads Group H with six points while Spain and Switzerland each have three. Honduras has no points.
Looking ahead to Chile, Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque said on FIFA.com, “I felt that we were too open and very vulnerable, and if we play like that against Chile, we could be made to suffer. Why? Because they’re a very active and aggressive team who are very difficult to get at.”
“What matters is that our fate’s in our hands now. The team has found the path to follow and the only thing we need to improve is our finishing,” said Sergio Ramos.
