Plain ol' Spain vs Paraguay, Saturday 3rd July, 7:30pm (RTE & BBC HD)

Peyton Manning

Spain vs Paraguay

Match 60
3rd July 2010
World Cup Quarter-Final
Johannesburg - Ellis Park Stadium

Sorry redout

conno16

prob the worst QF from a neutral perspective

steelcityblues

Spain and Paraguay - please give me a pleasant shock next Saturday, because already thinking to myself that this will be the most boring quarter-final!

CorkMan

SMH at the responses, IMO it could be at least 3-0 if Spain hit form. Torres gets 5 days more to get that bit sharper, he looked good at the start of tonight.

thegen

Really hope Spain get through this one. They have to start to play the football we know they are capable of playing.

killwill

Hoping for a Paraguay win. Nice to see a dark horse getting a good run.

DazMarz

Has potential to be very boring, with Spain not hitting full throttle. But, they could be conserving, and if they don't hit full throttle until it's needed (ie. the Final) so be it. Could be the smartest thing ever.

I see 1-0 or 2-0 to Spain.

nacho libre

Spain should win this game with something to spare. It is the ideal game for Torres to get his mojo back as they say.

eagle eye

Paraguay have the best defense in the tournament imo, it will be very interesting to watch this. Some people on here just want to see goals and more goals and of course we all like them but I really rate this Paraguayan side except for one thing, they are missing that playmaker in attack.

If they manage to keep Spain scoreless it will be a fantastic achievement and I for one will laud them for it and I'll have enjoyed one hell of a defensive performance too if that happens.

eagle eye

nacho libre wrote: »

Spain should win this game with something to spare. It is the ideal game for Torres to get his mojo back as they say.

I'd be very surprised if he even starts after Llorente's showing tonight.

Headshot

come on Paraguay, love to see them do it

Podge2k7

Spain should win this tbh, i'd say 2-0 or 3-0.

CorkMan

DazMarz wrote: »

Has potential to be very boring, with Spain not hitting full throttle. But, they could be conserving, and if they don't hit full throttle until it's needed (ie. the Final) so be it. Could be the smartest thing ever.

I see 1-0 or 2-0 to Spain.

I think they will need to be in fifth gear for 90 minutes to knock out Argentina if they face them in the semis, never mind who they face in the final!!

curry-muff

Ive given up on Spain, they've disappointed me, plus the fact I have Paraguay in my sweepstake, Go On Paraguay

nacho libre

eagle eye wrote: »

Paraguay have the best defense in the tournament imo, it will be very interesting to watch this. Some people on here just want to see goals and more goals and of course we all like them but I really rate this Paraguayan side except for one thing, they are missing that playmaker in attack.

If they manage to keep Spain scoreless it will be a fantastic achievement and I for one will laud them for it and I'll have enjoyed one hell of a defensive performance too if that happens.

I can't see them doing it for two reasons (1) they look tired in the game today against Japan. so imagine how shagged they'll likely be in the next game. Also, Spain is possibly the worst team you ccan face if you have heavy legs.
(2) Portugal's defense is much better than Paraguay's and they failed to keep Spain out.

nacho libre

eagle eye wrote: »

I'd be very surprised if he even starts after Llorente's showing tonight.

yeah you're right he probably won't. hopefully he'll be brought on though if Spain are coasting to victory and he can score a couple of goals to get his confidence back.

if he doesn't it might be easier for Liverpool to hold onto him;)

Zapp Brannigan

Spain need to drop Busquets, move Iniesta back and get Silva playing. With those changes they'd easily beat Paraguay

/football manager

eagle eye

nacho libre wrote: »

I can't see them doing it for two reasons (1) they look tired in the game today against Japan. so imagine how shagged they'll likely be in the next game. Also, Spain is possibly the worst team you ccan face if you have heavy legs.
(2) Portugal's defense is much better than Paraguay's and they failed to keep Spain out.

I completely disagree with point 2. I believe that Paraguay have the best defense in the World Cup. I've been really impressed and its not just that they have good defenders but they are very disciplined too and don't give away silly free kicks.

I didn't notice them looking tired today, they may have looked that way in extra-time but I never noticed it.

This Paraguay team beat Brazil 2-0 in the qualifiers for this World Cup, and only lost in the return 2-1. They only finished 1 point behind them in the qualifiers and I think Brazil are the best team in the tournament.

eagle eye

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

Spain need to drop Busquets, move Iniesta back and get Silva playing. With those changes they'd easily beat Paraguay

/football manager

Busquets has been brilliant and they don't need Silva on the pitch, they have enough players on attack. Where are you gonna play Silva? On the left where Villa is playing? On the right and mess up what Ramos is doing?

Shanotheslayer

eagle eye wrote: »

Busquets has been brilliant and they don't need Silva on the pitch, they have enough players on attack. Where are you gonna play Silva? On the left where Villa is playing? On the right and mess up what Ramos is doing?

+1 to this. Leave Silva out. Villa is playing great on the left and what Ramos is doing I'm suprised hes not dropped dead of tiredness, he never stops running, really impressive stuff from him.

eagle eye wrote: »

I completely disagree with point 2. I believe that Paraguay have the best defense in the World Cup. I've been really impressed and its not just that they have good defenders but they are very disciplined too and don't give away silly free kicks.

Altho I think Paraguay have a good defence, I don't think it's the best in the World Cup, I'd say Brazils is.


P.S Finally figured out how to multi quote!

eagle eye

I think Torres is suffering from Samsonitus. He hasn't looks good since he cut the locks.:D

nacho libre

eagle eye wrote: »

I completely disagree with point 2. I believe that Paraguay have the best defense in the World Cup. I've been really impressed and its not just that they have good defenders but they are very disciplined too and don't give away silly free kicks.

I didn't notice them looking tired today, they may have looked that way in extra-time but I never noticed it.

This Paraguay team beat Brazil 2-0 in the qualifiers for this World Cup, and only lost in the return 2-1. They only finished 1 point behind them in the qualifiers and I think Brazil are the best team in the tournament.

I wouldn't read too much into the south american qualifying campaign. Afterall Argentina lost 6- 0 to Bolivia in a game and looked very unimpressive throughout their qualifying campaign.
Paraguay are well-organised but they do not have the best defense in this competion from what i've seen. Their defense hasn't really been tested yet either imo.
After the gruellling game today, Spain is the least desirable team for them to have to face.

eagle eye

nacho libre wrote: »

I wouldn't read too much into the south american qualifying campaign. Afterall Argentina lost 6- 0 to Bolivia in a game and looked very unimpressive throughout their qualifying campaign.
Paraguay are well-organised but they do not have the best defense in this competion from what i've seen. Their defense hasn't really been tested yet either imo.
After the gruellling game today, Spain is the least desirable team for them to have to face.

A lot of teams lose up in Bolivia, its at very high altitude. Brazil lost up there too.

kinaldo

Shanotheslayer wrote: »

and what Ramos is doing I'm suprised hes not dropped dead of tiredness, he never stops running, really impressive stuff from him.

Too true. He doesn't get enough credit for it though. His drive and athleticism are incredible.

CorkMan

nacho libre wrote: »

After the gruellling game today, Spain is the least desirable team for them to have to face.

Yeah, and Spain only passed the ball around for the last 15-20 mins, which means 70-75 minutes of really working, while Paraguay went 120 minutes, 50-45 minutes more. Thats an entire half a game.

CorkMan

kinaldo wrote: »

Too true. He doesn't get enough credit for it though. His drive and athleticism are incredible.

Yeah, some people think he is too impetous.

GavRedKing

Gotta agree with all the S.Ramos talk, he has being good going forward, every team really needs a good attacking full back to offer width and drive back the on coming left midfielder and ramos is very good at it.

Hopefully Paraguay can play some good stuff, I dotn think Spain will have it all their own way though, Paraguay are well organised and efficent with the ball.

eZe^

kinaldo wrote: »

Too true. He doesn't get enough credit for it though. His drive and athleticism are incredible.

Agree 100%, and it's that very reason why I think he's wasted at CB, and signing Maicon could hamper the progress of a potential Real captain in the future.

gimmick

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

Spain need to drop Busquets,

/football manager

Busquets is getting an awful lot of stick for some reason. I thought he was excellent last night. He did what was needed to do without flair or ceremony, passed well and tackled well. I fail to see what else he can do. He is an essential part of the current Spain side.

Zapp Brannigan

I just don't think he's needed in the side. Alonso can do what he does, which allows Iniesta to play in the centre with Xavi.

CorkMan

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

I just don't think he's needed in the side. Alonso can do what he does, which allows Iniesta to play in the centre with Xavi.

Don't they too that already? IMO they linked up in central midfield a lot last night, with Xavi going forward regulary.

gimmick

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

I just don't think he's needed in the side. Alonso can do what he does, which allows Iniesta to play in the centre with Xavi.

Drop Alonso in that case. Alonso is not an effective DM, Busquets is.

Warper

Paraguay are poor to watch and will defend like crazy in this match. Spain will have all the ball and will probably score eventually. Not going to be most exciting of matches me thinks. Just hope Villa can add to his tally to make him top-scorer.

_Bella_

Word is that Torres will be starting the match.

flahavaj

gimmick wrote: »

Busquets is getting an awful lot of stick for some reason. I thought he was excellent last night. He did what was needed to do without flair or ceremony, passed well and tackled well. I fail to see what else he can do. He is an essential part of the current Spain side.

I think people's opinion of Busquet's is coloured a bit by what he did in the CL final.

gimmick

Well then people are putting on blinkers for the wrong reasons then.

Nemanja91

Lets hope Paraguay win this one

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/07/02/2006370/world-cup-2010-paraguay-model-larissa-riquelme-eyes-semi

Peyton Manning

Nemanja91 wrote: »

Lets hope Paraguay win this one

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/07/02/2006370/world-cup-2010-paraguay-model-larissa-riquelme-eyes-semi

She's already got a semi right here tbh

thegen

Viva Espana, really hope Spain go through.

CorkMan

I think Spain will have the vast majority of possession tonight and will score. If they score early I think paraguay would come forward and concede 3-4.

redout

España lineup:
Casillas; Ramos, Piqué, Puyol, Capdevila; Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi; Iniesta, Villa, Torres

Mr.Nice Guy

I've a feeling Torres will get off the mark this evening.

Vyse

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I've a feeling Torres will get off the mark this evening.

Let's hope so. Off to the pub to watch this one now.

Paraguay v Spain line-ups:

Paraguay: 1-Justo Villar; 2-Dario Veron, 14-Paulo Da Silva, 21-Antolin Alcaraz, 3-Claudio Morel, 8-Edgar Barreto, 11-Jonathan Santana, 15-Victor Caceres, 16-Cristian Riveros, 18-Nelson Valdez, 7-Oscar Cardozo.

Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 3-Gerard Pique, 5-Carles Puyol, 11-Joan Capdevila; 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Xavi, 6-Andres Iniesta, 16-Sergio Busquets; 9-Fernando Torres, 7-David Villa.

ffs, that **** of a manager playing Torres again.

He's clearly not fit, the whole world can see. Should never have been picked for this WC.

He's risking a long term injury to him.

Fizman

No fewer that 6 changes to Paraguays first team! :eek: The 3 strikers all dropped to the bench! Fair play to the manager, even though they qualified he obviously didn't like what he saw.

happyoutscan

Spain to romp this one. Money on a Torres hat-trick and Spain 4-0, 5-0, 6-0 and 7-0.

LeeroyJones

PP special..... Xavi OR Iniesta to score at ANY time 2/1.... decent shout I reckon!

mike65

Hi ho Not thrilled with Torres starting.

Yakult

Whats with the speaches??

_Bella_

So thats 2 out of the three South America versus Europe won by Europe! Will Spain make it three?

Its amazing how different the teams reaction to their anthems are. Paraguay belted it out while none of the Spanish players sung a note

A Primal Nut

The commentator on BBC mentioned some player index which listed Capdevilla as no.1 based on a formula of their contribution to games) while Schneider is way down the list. Anyone know what the index is?