World Cup 2014 – Group B Update

We kick off our updates of the group stages with goals galore from Group B with just two games played.

Spain 1-5 Netherlands

• Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador – Attendance 48,173
• Referee – Nicola Rizzoli
• Spain goals – Alonso (27)
• Netherlands goals – van Persie (44 & 72), Robben (53 & 80),  de Vrij (64)
• Bookings – Casillas, de Vrij, de Guzman, van Persie

The group kicked off against a balmy background but the real temperature was to come from the expectation, the calibre of both sides and the game itself. This game was a re-run of the 2010 World Cup final that was an incredibly tight and physical affair that ended with an extra time win for the Spanish.

Nobody would have believed that the game would have gone the way it did when Spain managed to get their noses ahead from the spot mid-way through the first half.  The mature and established Spanish team looked favourites against a youthful Dutch side with a few seasoned faces.

For the penalty, Costa had turned the Dutch defender in the box and had his trailing foot caught which resulted in the penalty that was coolly slotted home by Xabi Alonso. This was followed up shortly after with a great chance for David Silva which was parried away from danger by the Dutch keeper. Although relatively early on in the game, this opportunity was perhaps the turning point as the Netherlands started to get into the flow of the competition.

Just before the break Robin Van Persie capitalised on a fantastic searching cross from Daley Blind that took the Spanish defence out of the equation and left van Persie one on one with Casillas. The equalising goal was worthy of any World Cup and was a beautiful diving header that was skilfully looped over the stranded keeper into the back of the net.

Not long into the second half the Netherlands built on their great work with an extremely well taken goal from Arjen Robben that was Bergkamp-esque. He made fools out of Spanish defenders Ramos and Pique.

 

Spain were now in a position that they were not used to as they were behind, not looking confident and had to start to chase the game.  Due to this, Del Bosque had to make a number of substitutions and take more of a gamble which backfired when the Netherlands scored again in slightly controversial style from a back post header with the Spanish arguing that Casillas had been obstructed.  The complaints were dismissed, the Stefan de Vrij goal was awarded and it was now 3-1 with Spain looking more and more exposed as the Dutch poured forward at every opportunity.

It was already going badly enough for the reigning champions when poor control from Casillas saw van Persie latch onto the uncontrolled ball and tapped in with an outstretched leg to now make it 4-1 and put another nail in the Spanish coffin.

Robben completed the rout late into the game showing his outstanding pace and leaving the Spanish defence looking as though they were wearing lead boots as he burst through, beat everybody to the ball, turned as he approached Casillas and fired home to now make it an unbelievable 5-1 to the Netherlands.

This game could have been very different if Spain had capitalised on their early chances but as the game panned out then, the Dutch were unlucky not to have left the pitch perhaps as 8-1 winners.

A dream start for the Netherlands who flew to the top of the group with three points and a very nice goal difference, arguably making themselves favourites to progress as group winners.  Spain however will be very disappointed by the score line but can have no complaints as they were out played and actually looked very tired. Coach Del Bosque has some massive decisions to make before their next game.

Chile 3-1 Australia

• Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba – Attendance 40,275
• Referee – Noumandiez Doue
• Chile goals – Sanchez (12), Valdivia (14), Beausejour (90)
• Australia goal – Cahill (35)
• Bookings – Aranguiz, Milligan, Jedinak, Cahill

In the other group encounter, the dark horse of the competition Chile took on outsiders Australia in a game where people really expected a victory for La Roja.

Jorge Sampaoli’s Chilean side wasted no time whatsoever in imposing themselves on this competition with two early goals from Alexis Sanchez and Jorge Valdivia both scoring before the clock had even hit fifteen minutes.

La Roja dominated the early stages and whipped the ball around in the expected fashion that goes hand in hand with their good football and passing reputation.  This left the Aussies chasing the ball for large swathes of the game. Australia were always going to fight to the bitter end with their spirit and tradition of hard work but this was an uphill struggle once the second goal had hit the back of the net.

The first Chilean goal was scored after some very scrappy defending made to look even worse when you see the number of gold shirts that were around the ball and in front of the goal.  A cross into the danger zone was met by the head of Vargas without any real purpose and the ball managed to leak through to Sanchez who slotted home with the Socceroos looking on.

Literally two minutes later an unmarked Valdivia on the edge of the box hit a sweet strike that struck the cross bar and past a dismayed looking Aussie keeper clearly perplexed at the lack of defensive cover.

 

With hardly any time gone already, the game looked dead and buried for Australia but a ray of hope was provided when Australia’s all-time record goal scorer Tim Cahill headed firmly home with ten minutes of the half remaining. This header was taken in a style that we all expect from his time in England where his ability to leap and head was one of his key strengths.

This pattern continued with Chile passing the ball well with Cahill and his team getting the odd chance to draw level but the game was finally put to bed when Wigan’s Beausejour’s hit a low drive past the keeper in clinical fashion that sealed victory for Chile.

Australia gave a spirited performance, battled hard and huffed and puffed but the late strike from the Chileans meant only one outcome as the game passed out of the grasp of the Australians and their hopes of at least getting a point on the score-board.

Looking Ahead

All eyes now turn to the next set of games in this group with the pressure really on Spain to get something in order to have any chance of progressing.

They take place on Wednesday with the early kick off between Australia and the Netherlands. Given the confidence boost and style of play adopted by the Dutch then the expectation is that they will overcome the Aussies and push themselves to six points gained in their first two matches.

As predicted in my preview here, the game between Chile and Spain is expected to be the game of the group in my opinion.  This was the case prior to the tournament but now carries additional weight as a win for Chile will put them on to six points and leave Spain languishing on zero points after two games.

The Spanish really must win this game but will need to show a great deal more energy and composure and have to look at their problems at the back otherwise Chile may well rip it to pieces.

The last set of games pitch Australia against Spain and the Netherlands against Chile on 23 June.

To date and at this very early stage in the competition, this group has been the most entertaining with a total of ten goals scored in just two matches and everything to play for. Based on the current positions it looks to be going to the wire with Chile holding the key as to whether themselves or Spain progress further.

 As It Stands