Monday, 21st June 2010
Silky Spain Not Lethal Enough
 
Spain vs Honduras
in Jo'burg Ellis Park.
Having lost to a resilient Switzerland in their opening match,
Spain couldn't afford to lose again. Even a draw would have been disastrous, if
Switzerland were to beat Honduras in their last match.
If Spain lost, the World Cup tournament would have been over for the
European Champions. David Villa didn't let that bother him as he thundered the ball off
the crossbar in the seventh minute.
Sergio Ramos later had a penalty appeal turned down and then held his
head in horror when he headed over the bar.
On fire from the start, David Villa allowed all of Spain to relax when
he weaved in from the left, through two centre-backs and stretched past Osman Chavez; to
fire into the top corner.
The 2008 European Champions had finally announced their arrival on the
2010 World stage.
Due to continued Spanish pressure, Honduras didn't really get a look
in but did manage to keep the scoreline respectable.
Half-time: 1:0
Early in the second-half, David Villa produced another excellent
strike from the edge of the area; although the up and under flight of Jabulani was
probably helped on by the shin of Osman Chavez.
Then Sergio Ramos again tried desperately to get himself on the
scoresheet. Maybe sometimes he just tries too hard.
Just after the hour, Emilio Izaguirre took the legs of Jesus Navas out
from under him in the Honduran penalty area. David Villa stepped up to try for his
hat-trick; sent Noel Valladares one way and the ball wide of the post the other way.
A couple of minutes later, Cesc Fabregas came on for Spain and almost
scored at the first attempt.
When it comes down to the final games, Spain might rue their missed
chances here; even Sergio Ramos had a chance to score his own hat-trick.
Final Score:
Spain 2 Honduras 0
 Goalscorers:
1:0 David Villa (17 mins)
2:0 David Villa (51 mins)
Man of The Match:
David Villa - Despite his penalty miss, the Valencia striker really lit the game up for
Spain and put their World Cup campaign back on track.
Teams
 Spain:
1 Iker Casillas; 11 Joan Capdevila, 5 Carles Puyol, 3 Gerard Piqu�, 15 Sergio Ramos; 8
Xavi, 14 Xabi Alonso, 16 Sergio Busquets, 22 Jesus Navas; 7 David Villa, 9 Fernando
Torres.
 Honduras:
18 Noel Valladares; 21 Emilio Izaguirre, 3 Maynor Figueroa, 2 Osman Chavez, 23 Sergio
Mendoza; 13 Roger Espinoza, 20 Amado Guevara, 19 Danilo Turcios, 8 Wilson Palacios, 15
Walter Mart�nez; 11 David Suazo.
Referee:
Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)
 Substitutions:
46 Mins (Honduras) - 12 Georgie Welcome on for 13 Roger Espinoza
63 Mins (Honduras) - 7 Ramon Nunez on for 19 Danilo Turcios
66 Mins (Spain) - 10 Cesc Fabregas on for 8 Xavi
70 Mins (Spain) - 13 Juan Manuel Mata on for 9 Fernando Torres
77 Mins (Spain) - 17 Alvaro Arbeloa on for 15 Sergio Ramos
84 Mins (Honduras) - 10 Jerry Palacios on for 11 David Suazo
 2 Yellow
Cards:
8 Mins - Danilo Turcios (Honduras)
38 Mins - Emilio Izaguirre (Honduras)
 0 Red Cards.
Previous Encounters:
Spain played host to Honduras in Valencia, at Spain
1982. The opening match of the 1982 World Cup Finals ended in a draw (1:1).
2010 World Cup Finals - Knockout Stage.
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