World Cup Debate: Spain send out a warning, and they can only get better

After a stutter in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and in the subsequent friendly against Macedonia, Spain are back on familiar territory after dispatching Belgium 5-0 with Sangria style.

It’s a warning to the rest of the world that the Euro 2008 champions are back to their sexy best, that they have rebounded after their summer disappointment in South Africa, and that they have restored their confidence.

Belgium are by no stretch of the imagination the whipping boys of Europe. Granted, they are a squad in disarray at present and melting faster than a box of chocolates in sunny Mallorca, but they are by no means San Marino or the Faroe Islands. And they made life very difficult for La Furia Roja in the first half, stifling every attack and forcing the Spaniards to make uncharacteristic mistakes in their normally graceful passing game.

But Vicente del Bosque’s entertainers persisted. They didn’t resort to long balls or hopeful blind crosses. Every tiki-taka pass out of defence was greeted with applause. There was none of that ‘anywhere will do’ nonsense. And it was that kind of assured sweeping movement from the back that led to the fourth goal, the best of the night.

From a nervy throw-in on the left flank just outside Iker Casillas’ box, Spain coolly played some gorgeous one touch football to release Alvaro Arbeloa all the way down the right flank, who squared it to David Silva, who in turn rifled a precise shot into the bottom left corner from outside the box. All in all, it took no more than seven passes and nine touches from one end of the pitch to the back of the net at the other end. And all this without two of their most vital players: Andres Iniesta and Marcos Senna.

Iniesta | Itching To Return

Unlike the rest of the world, Spain pretty much have their squad and their first XI nailed down.

While Fabio Capello is struggling to figure out who best to partner Wayne Rooney in attack in the English national team, or who to succeed David Beckham on the right side of midfield, while Marcello Lippi continues to face the wrath in Italy for omitting Antonio Cassano and trying to uncover fresh talent to replace the old guards, while Dunga ponders who between Ronaldo and Adriano is best suited to back up Luis Fabiano, Del Bosque already knows, at the back of his mind, who will be travelling with him to South Africa 2010. 

Any surprise performers unearthed over the next nine months in the new Primera Division season will only serve as a bonus – or headache – for the poker-faced trainer, who has, keep in mind, not been able to call upon his strongest possible XI bar his very first game in charge - a 3-0 friendly win against Denmark, two months after Euro 2008.

He has always been missing one or two key figures due to either injury or lack of fitness. First, it was David Silva who was ruled out with a long term ailment, and over the past few months it has been Senna and Iniesta.

Del Bosque was reluctant to over-utilise Silva in the Confederations Cup as the Valencia man was struggling to hit peak match sharpness. However, the Valencia winger showed just how vital he is when fully fit and in top form against Belgium. He is starting to look very much like Iniesta nowadays. He has that ability to draw out the opposition, hold on to possession, run into space, pick out a piercing pass and he can run at defenders. And his psychic collaboration with David Villa can slice open just about any parked bus in front of goal.

That is essentially what Iniesta will provide on the opposite side of the park with his partnership with Xavi. It’s a frightening thought for the rest of the world what this Spanish Armada could do when they have their best 11 soldiers primed, ready and hungry to conquer the globe.

David Silva | Looking For Glory With Spain

Spain have adapted so well post-Luis Aragones and Euro 2008 that Senna’s position is under threat as Xabi Alonso continually proves that he can occupy that defensive midfield role. Besides, the Brazilian-born star is already 33, and as his aging body continues to take hit after hit throughout the league campaign, one just has to wonder what shape he will be in come the summer of 2010.

But against a more physical side (such as the USA) or a much more attack-minded team (like a Brazil), Senna’s presence will be critical at the centre of the park, and it is not a role Xabi can perform. It’s not because the Real Madrid man is not good enough, but it’s just simply not the focal point of his game.

The friendly against Argentina in November will give Spain a chance to take on an opponent with the same attacking calibre, a rare and priceless test. That should give Del Bosque a better idea of how to assemble his midfield and who is best for the job.

Upfront, meanwhile, Fernando Torres is still unable to translate the form he shows in the red of Liverpool to the red of Le Seleccion. But nobody in Spain really cares… so long as a certain David Villa keeps on firing on all cylinders.

Creating the level of understanding between two strikers in a national team is difficult to achieve, unlike at club level, not only because they spend so little time playing together, but also because both want to strive to become the lead marksman.

But the duo once again showed good chemistry and synergy. ‘El Nino’ didn’t have a direct part to play in any of the five goals but throughout the game he combined well with ‘El Guaje’, trading passes, opening up spaces for each other and, more importantly, enjoying one another’s company.

Gerard Pique was another stand-out performer against the Belgians and, finally, Spain have a star player in defence as well, a position long regarded as their Achilles heel. The Barcelona man was the meat in the Valencia sandwich on the scoreboard, netting either side of a Villa-Silva brace. He was also supreme at the back, and one of his most astounding qualities now is his confidence in bringing the ball out of defence and quietly surging upfront to join in the attack, not just for set-pieces but in open play. It’s reminiscent of the days of Franz Beckenbauer – hence his nickname in Spain, 'Piquenbauer' – and Fernando Hierro, or a more current reference, Lucio.

Sandwiched | The Imposing Pique Celebrates

Spain’s home internationals are not always the most festive and vocal for the collective crowd. It’s usually a muted, reserved outing, obviously because of the socio-politico divide, but on Saturday at Deportivo La Coruna’s Riazor, everyone was on the same wavelength… just like the players have been on the pitch for the past year.

The crowd epitomised the evening Spain had. It was a crucial World Cup qualifying clash, but it was also a fiesta that everyone concerned thoroughly enjoyed. The fans sang, they chanted ‘Espana, Espana’, there were shouts of ‘Ole! Ole!’ and they did the Mexican wave. And that is how La Roja love their football to be played.

In this game, things can change in a blink of an eye. But it’s clear that Spain can only get better.