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2006 FIFA WORLD CUP: 'Spain could go a long way'

/noticias.info/ by FIFAworldcup.com

TSG analysis by Andy ROXBURGH
We saw Spain put in a wonderful performance today. Their players showed superb technical skills, excellent ball control and a lot of pace. They fully deserved the win because they made the most of their opportunities.

The game was largely settled by set-piece plays and Spain's first three goals came from dead-ball situations. There was also a deflection on the second and the third was a penalty. That's why I enjoyed the fourth so much, an absolutely excellent goal that came from open play. It would have been shame if all the goals had been scored from set-pieces.

The match took shape very early on with Spain's first two goals. The Spanish were in complete control, particularly in terms of possession and they scored almost at will. Oleg Blokhin made a few tactical changes at the break but we'll never know if they would have worked because the penalty and the sending-off came right at the start of the second half.

That gave Ukraine a huge mountain to climb, and with only ten men and playing in that heat it was well beyond them. I feel a little sorry for them to be honest, because they're obviously a much better side than such an emphatic scoreline suggests. But Spain were tremendous - all you need to do is take a look at their bench, with the likes of Raul and Cesc Fabregas and you can see them going a long way. Mind you, they always promise great things, so we'd better wait and see. notas_de_prensa_archivo