Euro 2012 Qualifier: Spain vs. Czech Republic

King Bitchface gets a brace and saves the day!

Can I be honest? That first half was certainly nothing to write home about and we were hardly cohesive. I missed the first 35 minutes (but watched it this morning) because I was commuting home from work . As soon as I came up out of the subway, a text beeped on my Blackberry. It was from Shiggers and said simply “F**k!”  So I immediately checked the score (yes, there’s an app for that) and replied “F**k!” as I charged up the street to the pub. Jaroslav Plasil scored a gorgeous goal that Iker didn’t have a chance in hell of saving, sainthood or not.

To me, Spain just didn’t look all that cohesive and things were rather disappointing although Villa did have two chances which Petr Cech managed to save.

del Bosque decided to sub Xabi Alonso out at 46′ (he had received a yellow card at 39′ and seemed a bit pissy and not his usual even tempered self) and brought in Fernando Torres. Poor Nando was not on good form (this was blatantly obvious) and there was a great deal of harsh criticism of him all over the internet. It was painful to read.

I just so badly wanted him to score because I think he really needs the confidence boost to regain his form. He seems like the sort of guy who gets very psyched out when he is in a drought and I feel like right now, he’s his own worst enemy. He’s getting some support from teammates though. Chelsea’s David Luiz had some kind words.  And Xavi very kindly said that he felt bringing on Torres was was the catalyst for changing the game yesterday because having 2 strikers playing helped give him, Villa and Iniesta room to work. Speaking of Xavi, it was his 100th cap for La Roja. Mazel Tov, Xavi!

Villa was on fire yesterday and when he finally scored at 69′ on an assist from Iniesta, he surpassed Raul as Spain’s all time leading scorer with 45 goals.

Iniesta was brilliant yesterday as well and a pleasure to watch, but that of course made him a target. It was open season on the poor little guy.

This mangling of Andres backfired as he drew the penalty that gave Spain the game winning goal courtesy of David Villa at 72′ – which now gives Villa 46 goals in 72 matches for Spain. Congrats, King Bitchface! That’s awesome.  From then on it was just playing keep away until the clock ran down. There was a last minute shot on goal by Nando (courtesy of a gift pass by Villa) but it was easily cleared.  It would have been nice, but it was not to be. Let’s hope he does better in the Lithuania game.

Next time, bebe, next time

Sergio didn’t have a whole hell of a lot to do this game but I love this shot of him defying gravity. He always gives good photo, our Sese.

Speaking of Sernando, one of the best observations of the game comes with this gif that was found on Gladysc’s tumblr – Check out Sergio copping a sneaky feel of Nando’s thigh during a goal celebration. His right hand stays on Jesus Navas’ back, but that’s not good enough when he’s touching Nando. His hand starts down his back and then travels down to his thigh where he pats his knee. More proof to my theory that he just can’t keep himself from petting Nando. He can’t keep his hands to himself when Torres is around (not that I mind one bit). He touches Nando differently than other people. He’s always trying to get just a little bit more of him. Be still my slashy heart!

Source

Onward to the France write up, with the Germany game on in the background (very exciting thus far!)  So far, so good!