Spain are done. They are eliminated from the World Cup after a week's worth of competition. This coming after winning the last World Cup in South Africa and each of the last two European Championships. And it could not have been a more unceremonious exit.
Spain could not have played two worse games on the big stage. They got smacked by the Netherlands 5-1 to get things started. Then, yesterday, they were on the wrong end of a 2-0 score against Chile. Granted, neither of these teams are exactly slouches. Both are highly talented sides with aspirations of success in this tournament. But, for the defending champions to go out being outscored 7-1 over two games to any opposition is embarrassing.
While goal scoring was clearly an issue, the main scapegoat for this pitiful display would have to be goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The once great backstop was routinely off his lines and making poor decisions throughout the two games. No better example could be found then on Chile's second goal yesterday. Chile had a free kick just to the right of the box. Alexis Sanchez blasted it right into Casillas, who promptly punched it away. The punch was, first off, not the best idea. The shot probably should have been caught. Secondly, the punch was ill placed and went right to Charles Aranguiz. After the punch, Casillas was way off his line and Aranguiz slotted an easy shot to put the game seemingly out of reach for Spain.
Other things went wrong too, of course. The backline play was lazy in both games. Defenders Jordi Alba and Sergio Ramos were showing their age. The midfield passing was not the tiki-taka that we are used to seeing from Spain. Their finishing was very poor. They missed a lot of chances that the old Spain would bury like nothing. They looked like an old team the could no longer compete at the World Cup.
All the talk about Spain cannot dismiss the success of Chile. The South Americans played a wonderful attacking game in front of a ruckus crowd. They seem to have played themselves into being the underdog choice to make a run at the title. And I can't say I blame anyone for that line of thinking. They have played well, and are a lot of fun to watch. What more can you ask for in a darling championship pick?
Elsewhere in yesterday's action, Australia proved that they might have been in Brazil for more than just a glorified vacation. Although they lost to the Netherlands 3-2 and were eliminated from play, they made a real threat to take down the 2010 runners up. Tim Cahill gave us another candidate for goal of the tournament when his equalized on a perfect volley off a long ball. Cahill's perfect placed shot rang in under the crossbar less than a minute after Arjen Robben opened the scoring with a beautiful run.
The Socceroos would even take the lead on a penalty given for a handball in the box, but that advantage would not last long before Robin van Persie put the Dutch level again. Substitute Memphis Depay put them ahead for good ten minutes later on a goalkeeping error by Maty Ryan.
Croatia closed out yesterday by taking care of business against Cameroon 4-0. The Indomitable Lions are now eliminated from the tournament, ending who I thought would be the dark horse second place finishers in Group A. Croatia's victory also sets up a winner take all match between them and Mexico.
Today we see three more intriguing affairs. First, at noon, we see Colombia take on the Ivory Coast. Both these teams won their openers and hope to keep their hot start going. Both sides can make a run at victory and I think both will come up short. I am thinking a 2-2 draw. The middle game gives us Uruguay ave England, two teams looking to recover from disappointing losses. This is another tough one to call, so I am picking another draw. This time 1-1. Finally, Japan and Greece try to stay alive. These two sides are known for their defensive play, so I am calling for a scoreless draw, and probably not the exciting kind like Brazil-Mexico was.
Gong to be another fun day of action today, one with possibly few winners. Enjoy, and be back tomorrow.
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