Spain v. Honduras 2-0 21/Jun/10

Second Round, Fourth Game, Group H, Day 11. (32 of 64)


Here, the first of the two scored by the new Barcelona striker.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]


The Spaniards can rest safely until the following match as David Villa's brace put them one step ahead of the qualification. After that "monumental lapsus" the Spanish looked for a controlling delivery. What they lacked was that gripping force we all saw in the last EURO, that spark and moment of inspiration and not perspiration. The sole genius of David Villa coped with certain defensive mishaps and was enough to see the CONCACAF affiliates off for the day. The Hondurans for their part, will leave home as any opportunity of advancing to the following phase was debauched this day. The following games will be crucial, as previewed in the last post.



And the second.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]


Obliged to win, Del Bosque clearly intended his players to go forward in the very first moments of the game. David Villa had two great opportunities, one on the crossbar as Ramos also put his head wide on goal. It was not even the 12th minute and the Spaniards were all over the opposition. The Honduras team tried to neutralise the Spanish pressure when Suazo's runs became a niggling disturbance. Evidently, after all the hard work upon Valladares's goal Villa got a hold of a great lead after receiving, controlling and dribbling past three defenders inside the box. The effort was brilliant and even when he was falling over, he managed to make a solid contact to beat the keeper.

Still, Villa ran the riot on the left hand side in the following minutes. Navas also had a decent spell on his side even when the Hondurans could not manage to stop the attacking team. With ten minutes to go, Torres proved himself worthless and out of shape: two chances were scrapped by the Liverpool striker. Still his presence scared off many of the defenders and it can be argued that his sole being caused havoc among Chávez and Figueroa.



Multi-injured Pique.
[Photo: AFP via ABC.es]


As Welcome subbed Espinoza, Villa grabbed another goal in the match as he shot outside the box. Unfortunately for Rueda's men, the shot was deflected and the Hondurans were tracking with two goals. The following minute -52nd- Ramos set Torres who headed wide. The return of the long-awaited EURO style finally took on its victims and the Spanish were just confident enough to wander with the ball around the park. In the 61st minute Navas fell in the box and a penalty was awarded: Villa failed to produce a hat-trick as the ball went just wide.

Cesc came in and not much changed in the offensive apparatus of the Spaniards. The Hondurans finally began to peruse some of their physical superiority and pushed for a chance. Naturally this was risky due to the fact that a quick and sudden counterattack would annihilate any chances of qualification. Figueroa denied Villa his third as the match got to its end. The deep breath from Del Bosque was fair enough even when Spain miss that killing touch.