Nigeria’s
Mikel Obi (left) is marked by Spain’s Sergio Busquets during their FIFA
Confederations Cup match, at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza, Brazil
on Sunday
Jordi
Alba’s brace and Fernando Torres’ header saw Spain beat Nigeria 3-0 to
top Group B into the semi-finals of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. In
the other match of the group, Abel Hernandez scored half of the goals
as Uruguay cruised to victory an 8-0 win over a hapless Tahiti team.
Spain expectedly took the game to
Nigeria at kick-off and within three minutes Iniesta fed Alba, who beat a
couple of weak tackles from four Nigerian defenders in a sweep before
coolly finishing into the bottom corner afterwards. But soon after the
goal, the Super Eagles gained confidence and the game became balanced.
And with the turn of events they attacked the Spaniards time and time
again but all works done from the back through the midfield ended with
very poor finishing in their opponents’ box with Brown Ideye and
Mohammed Gambo the major culprit. Gambo missed from close range with
Valdes helpless in goal for Spain at the 74th minute. But despite the
misses, Mikel Obi remained the leader, as with the previous matches, as
he led and fell back to defend in a free role. Vincent Enyeama in goal
proved he could be depended on any time Nigeria faced a major world
power.
At the break, Spain had 54 per cent of
the ball against Nigeria, completing 86 per cent of their passes. Shots
on target for Nigeria were 13(3) and 23(9) for Spain. At the end of the
game ball possession stood at 42 per cent for Nigeria and 65 per cent
for the world and European champions in a reflection of the proceedings.
Hernandez’s goal for Uruguay which was
scored after 1 min 19 seconds now stands as the fastest-ever at the
Confederations Cup. He completed his hat-trick on the stroke of
half-time and then scored his fourth of the game from the spot in the
second half. Uruguay were first awarded a penalty after Tahiti’s Nicolas
Vallar fouled Matias Aguirregaray. Gilbert Meriel saved Aguirregaray’s
penalty diving low to his left. His heroic was well applauded in spite
of the heavy goal deficit against his country. Luis Suarez who came off
the bench joined the goals-party, twisting and turning past a tired
looking Henri Caroine and slotting in with his left foot.
Uruguay’s Andres Scotti became the first player to receive his marching orders in Brazil after two yellow cards.
Brazil will take on Uruguay in the
semi-finals on Wednesday while Spain face Italy in a repeat of last
year’s Euro final match on Thursday.
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