Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
There's a long way to go yet. After an almost flawless first year in charge, Fabio Capello was brought crashing down to earth in Seville by a breath-taking Spanish side who taught him a hard lesson in what it takes to win international honours. England kept pace with the European Champions for the first 30 minutes, but then Vincente Del Bosque's team opened up the throttle and left them floundering.
Spain were mesmeric, inspired and delightful to watch. It didn't matter how closely England's midfield attempted to mark their men, the passes were fired in quickly to the preferred foot of their target and then moved on again with a single touch. The technique on display was bewildering. England have only just managed to learn a patient, two-touch game, but the Spanish are way ahead of them. Andres Iniesta and Xavi, in particular, were superb while David Villa reaffirmed his position as one of Europe's most potent frontmen with a fine performance topped by a splendid opening goal.
David Beckham's record-equaling 108th cap will not be remembered with any great fondness. Though the AC Milan midfielder was able to showcase his awesome range of passing, he'll be disappointed that an excellent Marchena clearance robbed him of an assist and that he picked up an unnecessary booking. The old school English press have been busy out-grumbling each other in their denunciations of Beckham's parity with Bobby Moore and this caution for dissent only played into their wrinkled hands.
Though it should be enough simply to acknowledge that the superior side won, there are still positives for Capello to take from the encounter. For starters, he has learned a lot more about his side than he could have gleaned from a easy 3-0 win over a European makeweight. England will only ever improve by testing themselves against the best. Capello's only two defeats have come away at France and now away in Spain. There's no shame in that, especially as they are coutnered somewhat by a victory away in Germany. The occasional humbling will soothe the unnatural hubris of anyone foolish enough to believe that merely playing in the Premier League is enough to make them a premier player.
Shaun Wright-Phillips looked eager to run at players from either flank, a tactic that wasn't always successful, but gave the Spanish something to worry about. Emile Heskey continued to prove his worth as an entirely selfless targetman, winning the high balls and always looking to play in his partner, the occasionally impressive Gabriel Agbonlahor. Glen Johnson slammed the door on Fernando Torres repeatedly, proving that he can defend as well as attack and Ashley Cole gave another energetic display on the left.
England were distinctly under-strength, but their structure remained unchanged throughout, a hallmark of life under Capello. Every player seems to be fully aware of what is expected of him, technically as well as tactically. They still seem to be grasping the concept that the other team cannot score while they pass the ball amongst themselves, though the odd relapse still crops up here and there. The Italian boss still has much to do before the aimless long punt is entirely eliminated.
Spain had none of these problems, but then with a 29 game unbeaten run behind them, it's hardly surprising. But if losing to Del Bosque's side in Seville was the price for an important lesson learned then, no matter how much it costs now, it will seem positively cheap by the time the World Cup comes around.
SURPRISE - When David Beckham threaded a delicious ball through to Carlton Cole there were a number of likely outcomes, all of which involved the floodlights being smashed out. Astonishingly though, not only did Cole round Reina, but he even put the shot on target. Such a shame then that Marchena slid in to clear it off the line.
ON FIRE - Is this the best Spanish side ever? It's certainly the best in my lifetime. I could watch them play all night. Even Marcus Senna was looking in fine fettle and he's supposed to be the lynchpin, there to allow the others to play! The technique, the composure, the skill, the belief. Oooh, it was special.
DODGY KEEPER - David James is the best English goalkeeper right now, but he's doing his best to give his rivals a chance. A simple looping ball in the first half was his to claim, but he seemed to switch off at the last second and fumbled an easy take. What's wrong with him, why can't he concentrate?
PUNTERS RANT - You could possibly have a bit of a moan at England for not being able to keep up with the Spanish, but in hindsight, this was always a big ask for them. No-one's beaten Spain in a very long time, and they were unlikely to fall to a mix'n'match English side.
MAN OF THE MATCH - It's a hard choice, but Xavi was probably the best of the Spanish midfielders overall. His passing is always impeccable, but his free-kick for the second goal would have had Beckham cooing with admiration. The ball just looped up and dropped gently into the path of Fernando Llorente, who gobbled it up. Lovely stuff.
MATCH STATS
Crowd - 42, 102
Yellow Cards - Beckham (England)
Red Cards - None
Spain -
Iker Casillas 6 (Pepe Reina 6, 45th), Sergio Ramos 7, Raul Albiol 7 (Marchena 7, 75th), Gerard Pique 6, Joan Capvevila 7 (Alvaro Arbeloa 7, 45th), Marcos Senna 8, Xabi Alonso 8, Andres Iniesta 8, Xavi 9 (Daniel Guiza 6, 85th), Fernando Torres 7 (Fernando Llorente 7, 64th), David Villa 8 (David Silva 7, 56th)
England -
David James 6 (Rob Green 6, 45th), Glen Johnson 7, Ashley Cole 7, Phil Jagielka 6 (Matthew Upson 5, 45th), John Terry 6, Michael Carrick 6, Gareth Barry 6 (Frank Lampard 6, 45th), Shaun Wright-Phillips 7, Stewart Downing 5 (David Beckham 7, 45th), Gabriel Agbonlahor 6 (Carlton Cole 6, 75th), Emile Heskey 7 (Peter Crouch 6, 45th)
Spain were mesmeric, inspired and delightful to watch. It didn't matter how closely England's midfield attempted to mark their men, the passes were fired in quickly to the preferred foot of their target and then moved on again with a single touch. The technique on display was bewildering. England have only just managed to learn a patient, two-touch game, but the Spanish are way ahead of them. Andres Iniesta and Xavi, in particular, were superb while David Villa reaffirmed his position as one of Europe's most potent frontmen with a fine performance topped by a splendid opening goal.
David Beckham's record-equaling 108th cap will not be remembered with any great fondness. Though the AC Milan midfielder was able to showcase his awesome range of passing, he'll be disappointed that an excellent Marchena clearance robbed him of an assist and that he picked up an unnecessary booking. The old school English press have been busy out-grumbling each other in their denunciations of Beckham's parity with Bobby Moore and this caution for dissent only played into their wrinkled hands.
Though it should be enough simply to acknowledge that the superior side won, there are still positives for Capello to take from the encounter. For starters, he has learned a lot more about his side than he could have gleaned from a easy 3-0 win over a European makeweight. England will only ever improve by testing themselves against the best. Capello's only two defeats have come away at France and now away in Spain. There's no shame in that, especially as they are coutnered somewhat by a victory away in Germany. The occasional humbling will soothe the unnatural hubris of anyone foolish enough to believe that merely playing in the Premier League is enough to make them a premier player.
Shaun Wright-Phillips looked eager to run at players from either flank, a tactic that wasn't always successful, but gave the Spanish something to worry about. Emile Heskey continued to prove his worth as an entirely selfless targetman, winning the high balls and always looking to play in his partner, the occasionally impressive Gabriel Agbonlahor. Glen Johnson slammed the door on Fernando Torres repeatedly, proving that he can defend as well as attack and Ashley Cole gave another energetic display on the left.
England were distinctly under-strength, but their structure remained unchanged throughout, a hallmark of life under Capello. Every player seems to be fully aware of what is expected of him, technically as well as tactically. They still seem to be grasping the concept that the other team cannot score while they pass the ball amongst themselves, though the odd relapse still crops up here and there. The Italian boss still has much to do before the aimless long punt is entirely eliminated.
Spain had none of these problems, but then with a 29 game unbeaten run behind them, it's hardly surprising. But if losing to Del Bosque's side in Seville was the price for an important lesson learned then, no matter how much it costs now, it will seem positively cheap by the time the World Cup comes around.
SURPRISE - When David Beckham threaded a delicious ball through to Carlton Cole there were a number of likely outcomes, all of which involved the floodlights being smashed out. Astonishingly though, not only did Cole round Reina, but he even put the shot on target. Such a shame then that Marchena slid in to clear it off the line.
ON FIRE - Is this the best Spanish side ever? It's certainly the best in my lifetime. I could watch them play all night. Even Marcus Senna was looking in fine fettle and he's supposed to be the lynchpin, there to allow the others to play! The technique, the composure, the skill, the belief. Oooh, it was special.
DODGY KEEPER - David James is the best English goalkeeper right now, but he's doing his best to give his rivals a chance. A simple looping ball in the first half was his to claim, but he seemed to switch off at the last second and fumbled an easy take. What's wrong with him, why can't he concentrate?
PUNTERS RANT - You could possibly have a bit of a moan at England for not being able to keep up with the Spanish, but in hindsight, this was always a big ask for them. No-one's beaten Spain in a very long time, and they were unlikely to fall to a mix'n'match English side.
MAN OF THE MATCH - It's a hard choice, but Xavi was probably the best of the Spanish midfielders overall. His passing is always impeccable, but his free-kick for the second goal would have had Beckham cooing with admiration. The ball just looped up and dropped gently into the path of Fernando Llorente, who gobbled it up. Lovely stuff.
MATCH STATS
Crowd - 42, 102
Yellow Cards - Beckham (England)
Red Cards - None
Spain -
Iker Casillas 6 (Pepe Reina 6, 45th), Sergio Ramos 7, Raul Albiol 7 (Marchena 7, 75th), Gerard Pique 6, Joan Capvevila 7 (Alvaro Arbeloa 7, 45th), Marcos Senna 8, Xabi Alonso 8, Andres Iniesta 8, Xavi 9 (Daniel Guiza 6, 85th), Fernando Torres 7 (Fernando Llorente 7, 64th), David Villa 8 (David Silva 7, 56th)
England -
David James 6 (Rob Green 6, 45th), Glen Johnson 7, Ashley Cole 7, Phil Jagielka 6 (Matthew Upson 5, 45th), John Terry 6, Michael Carrick 6, Gareth Barry 6 (Frank Lampard 6, 45th), Shaun Wright-Phillips 7, Stewart Downing 5 (David Beckham 7, 45th), Gabriel Agbonlahor 6 (Carlton Cole 6, 75th), Emile Heskey 7 (Peter Crouch 6, 45th)
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