Well, no complaints about day 2 of the WC. Let's forget about the Mexico - Cameroun game as nobody watched it anyway. The other two games were crackers.
Spain vs. Netherlands started according to plan, although with Spain looking less convincing than in the pas. I actually witnessed Iniesta turn the ball over twice in the first half alone! Nevertheless, when Diego Costa fell over and was awarded the second dodgy penalty of the tournament it seemed like a familiar tale would be told. One moment of finishing magic from Van Persie just before half-time, however, and it was game on.
What happened in the second half will be analyzed to death on the sunny side of Europe, but here's the short version. The Netherlands capitalized on one of their two great assets, the balded Ardjen Robben. He makes it 2-1 with some sublime movement and skill. The Spain coach takes off the only real defensively minded midfielder he has - Alonso - and replaces him with a more attacking option. Spain's shape is irreparably damaged and the Dutch make them pay badly. It really could have been 6 or 7 by the end.
Millions of fans and players around the world were loving watching Spain desperately trying to regain possession from the Dutch. We all knew that they really weren't all that good. Holland, on the other hand, with a lot of relatively unknown players from the Dutch league, look pretty handy. My pool is in tatters.
Chile - Australia. It sure looked like the Chilean team would put a good roasting on the Socceroos, but the game turned after Cahill, known for his airial ability, rose above the towering 5' 7" frame of Gary Medel to head one home. After that, the Aussies can consider themselves a bit unfortunate not to have got a point out of this one.
You have to love the Chile team though. They seem very small, but they work their socks off and pressure all over the field. And, their fans are second to none for passion. I watched Chile play in Pretoria at the last world cup and their fans were few, but very noisy even an hour before kick-off.
So, should we count Spain out? Probably not. I think they will win their two remaining games and go through with Holland. I hope for Chile though.
The time for fun is over, England - Italy tonight.
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