Written by Damien Kayat for @Hollywoodbets.
Australia vs Spain | Monday 23 June | Arena da Baixada, Curitiba | 18:00
The downfall of Spain had to be dramatic. All great dynasties have to implode on a seismic level, thus ensuring their legacy. Just look at the fall of the Roman Empire, the end of the Beatles, or Macaulay Culkin. Vicente Del Bosque’s side has advanced the trope of world football more than any side that I can remember in internationals, and the weight of that dedication to excellence has been there for all to see in this year’s World Cup. Australia’s plucky performances have shown excellent acumen and team cohesion, but have also highlighted the ongoing difficulties facing Pan-Pacific sides in stepping up to the next level. But this is really about a bittersweet swansong in international football, one that leaves space for both nostalgic memory and deep contemplation.
To Win (90mins)
Australia 58/10
Draw 7/2
Spain 9/20
Australia
The Australians were really on a hiding to nothing with the draw that they received. And to think that they still have the chance of finishing above the outgoing World Champions. Tim Cahill’s rather robust challenge on Bruno Martins Indi will mean the figurehead of the Socceroos’ best attacks will not feature in this game. This may see the introduction of Joshua Kennedy, Australia’s leading scorer in the World Cup Qualifying campaign. Mark Bresciano plays with a Lampard-esque desire to get into the box, which will be a critical component should Australia wish to wrestle anything other than pride from this match.
The real heart of the Socceroos is in their midfield, with captain Mike Jedinak proving himself an excellent leader of men thus far. Leckie’s bursts down the right will be closely marshalled by speed merchant Alba, while Tommy Oar has proved capable of breaking up the opponent’s momentum. Australia are well organised as a defensive unit, which will serve them well against a Spanish side that thrives on slower build up and possession. They will get bodies behind the ball and give the outgoing champions a real challenge in their surgical passing prowess.
Spain
Vicente Del Bosque’s refusal to revert back to the false nine formula, that has seen them garner such success, has come back to bite him in a big way. Their side has been hard-wired to shun the traditional number nine, and Diego Costa’s success at Atletico has been based on a completely typical number nine template. Xavi Hernandez – the paragon of Spain’s tika taka style – never even came on against Chile, distilling the transition of international football power in an unused substitute.
Let’s hope Spain embrace this as the swansong for a period of international dominance unlike any other. Casillas. Xavi. Alonso. Torres. Pique. Ramos. This could be the end of various player’s international careers and I think it would behoove the footballing consciousness to ponder the achievements of this side. Not only has there been dominance, there has been a dominance based on one of the purest aesthetic models of football ever produced. Spain will struggle to deal with the emotional fallout surrounding their exit, so I would expect a slightly cagey atmosphere against a dogged Australia.
VERDICT: Both Teams to Score 7/10
It will be interesting to see if Australia creates an honor guard for the Spanish; perhaps that’s just an indication of my predilection for grand gestures. Spain, in some ways, will now be released from the pressure that has followed the leading side in world football. Spain will dominate possession but struggle to break down the solid defensive wall of the Australians. The whole spectacle may take on the dimensions of a surreal training match, as Spain try to reassert their philosophy one last time. It would be poetic if Fabregas shows Del Bosque what he should have done following the Netherlands match. Both Teams to Score in this one.
The man knows his football, but even he gets it wrong from time to time. Feel free to share your view below.
