What's at stake? For Nigeria an outside chance at the next round for Spain it determines whether they play Italy or Brazil first. Yes they have not clinched, but the scenario for not advancing is pretty extreme.
It's the Denver snow ref. All Americans should like this guy. Although I think going forward with that match was the right decision.
Only one Barca player on the bench in David Villa.
Spoiler alert this recap will focus mainly on Spain because of the way the rain falls there and the fact that Nigerian soccer knowledge is not very high in my house hold.
Great play by Inesta in the first minute to get into a dangerous position. He seems to thrive in these big international tournaments.
Nigerian comes right back with a quality chance. Probably a bad idea to opt for the short corner.
Amazing passing by Spain to cut from the back all the way to the front with no contact by Nigeria. Pedro's pass was incredible. Credit to Alba for not fumbling that up and scoring in a tough spot. Scary good play by Spain. There was like 8 assists on the play.
Great ball into Fabregas. Nigeria lucky to still only be down 1.
Spain's uniforms would be cool if not for the gold v around the neck.
Great chance for Nigeria as Spain fell asleep having a man advantage. Ramos made a good play to stop the chance. Pedro bumbled up yet another break. He's been doing it for a year why would he stop now.
Xavi was a bad giveaway. Nigeria worked too fast with an advantage and lacked the quality to take advantage.
Ramos takes the free kick over Xavi in a very dangerous spot. I think that was a mistake as he kicks it into the way.
After 15 Spain started brilliant, but have given up chances and maybe are a little overconfident. They need to work harder. Nigeria needs to take advantage of their chances and at least get better shots on goal.
Spain are not playing with a sense of urgency since scoring the first goal. As a group they don't seem determined to win the ball back. Another dangerous chance by Nigeria. There best so far.
Dangerous corner for Nigeria, but they don't score and follow it up by messing up another decent chance.
Maybe Xavi was right about not starting the last game. Spain look rusty. Valdes took out Pique. Didn't look that bad on the replay, but the stretcher is out. I notice that in FIFA matches it comes out faster than in a club match. Pique looks like he will be ok though.
Ramos fires a ball over the top and Soldado is on, but can't finish. Scary good pass by Ramos and good play by Soldado to stay on.
Nigeria drive back with another good run and force a corner. A few moments later they get another big chance. Spain are asleep out there. Nigeria then gets another break into the box. Time for Del Bosque to do some coaching. If he remembers how.
Soldado gets sprung again. No reason to not score there. I think he's botching his chance to keep his spot.
The announcers remind us that this keeper stopped Messi from scoring at the World Cup. It seems crazy that Messi didn't have a single goal considering his form since the WC. I'd bet against that happening again.
Nigeria would be tied at worst if they had a quality striker.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ....Fabregas hits the post and should have scored.....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Another dangerous Nigeria chance. I'm having trouble pin pointing why these are happening so frequently. It really seems like a lack of energy on Spain's part. Too much time ball watching and waiting for something to happen.
Bad cross by Alba, but good play to get into position to make the cross.
Ramos makes an unssucessful attempt to hit Pedro for a pass. He's been the most willing player to chance. Everyone else is playing more conservative with their passing. Good ball from Xavi, but Soldado is well covered.
Great Xavi free kick to Ramos's head. Good save by the Nigerian keeper. B- effort by Spain in that first half. They should have scored at least one more. Nigeria had some good chances, but couldn't find the quality to finish one off. Spain must do better in the second half to open up Nigeria on the counter attack. They also need to play with more energy.
It's probably popular to take out Soldado, but I'd take out Cesc and see if Villa gives you anything on the wing first. Then try Torres down the middle for the last 20 minutes or so and see if those two play well together.
Nigeria springs a good chance out of ball possession. I'm not sure how they didn't score there.
Spain earn a big free kick at the top of the box. I hope Xavi takes it. Xavi does well to almost bury it. Making me remember the wasted one by Ramos in the first half.
Del Confuse me is bringing on Silva for Fabregas. Looks like Cesc is hurt. Still not sure why you don't bring on a true striker there. I think he just likes trying to win 1-0.
Torres is coming on. I think he will excel in this type of game.
Xavi with a shot he maybe didn't need to take.
Soldado is off. I don't like it. Del Bosque is constantly choosing lineups that are not as attacking. Why not sub Torres in for Pedro, but really the mistake was bringing on David Silva, which I believe he does to stroke Silva's ego.
Great cross by Pedro into to Torres. I think that just earned him the start against Italy.
There are huge gaps in this match where zero is happening. Actually kind of annoying.
Silva botches up a pretty easy chance. All the more reason to question why he is brought in ever for this team.
Great play to prevent Torres from scoring his second. I think he needed to be sharper there and finish it.
Pedro and Torres are playing well together. I would have loved to see Pedro, Torres, and Villa upfront.
Even Juan Mata should play ahead of Silva. The theme I don't like Silva is being misrepresented. I like his game, but he's not a forward and shouldn't be in there. After the Euro I came to the conclusion that Del Bosque was playing him to stroke his ego and I believe I'm correct.
Pedro squanders an easy chance. This is become a theme for both teams. This match should have yielded more goals.
Arebeloa botches up a cross and runs back to commit the foul. Can you say the weak link?
Nigeria will rue all these chances as they miss another one.
Villa is in for Pedro. So I beg the question is Juan Mata better than David Silva? Yes by a wide margin. So why is Silva playing? I have no idea.
Silva messes up a touch and then botches a pass. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.
Villa takes advantage of a good play by Alba and he scores his second.
This match was uninspired. I would have thought a rested Spain side with something to play for would have done better. The effort will need to improve against Italy.
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