World Cup 2010

Player Ratings: Armenia 1-2 Spain

Spain continued their great run of form but did not have everything their own way. Goal.com watched their win in Armenia and awarded all the players a mark out of ten...

Oct 10, 2009 8:08:47 PM

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Juan Mata, Spain, Estonia (MARCA)

Teams

ARMENIA

Berezovsky - 6: May have given away the penalty that cost his side the game, but he made a string of decent stops to keep them in it.

Hovsepian - 6.5: Armenia's captain stood out as he led by example with a number of decisive tackles and also pushed forward well.

Mkoyan - 6: None of the Armenian defenders were exposed and they kept Torres and then Negredo quiet.

Arzumanyan - 6: Spain had their chances, but were kept to shots from distance and that was to the defender's credit.

A. Mkrtychan - 6.5: Neither of Spain's wide players that began the match stood out as he and his opposite number had good games.

Edigaryan - 6: Against a Spain midfield containing some of the best technical players in the world he did well to stop them when possible.

M. Mkrtchyan - 5.5: Chased and harried, but was caught out at times as Fabregas and Xavi combined to pass their way forward.

Karamyan - 7: Could have put the home team in front in the opening half and would have deserved a goal for his display.

A. Karamian - 6: Not one Armenian player will be disappointed with how they fought against one of the world's best teams and he will not be.

Goharyan - 6.5: His tireless performance symbolised the hosts' desire to cause a surprise and even though he did not have much service he stood out.

Pizzelli - 5.5: Showed glimpses of his ability, but against the experience of the likes of Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos, he was always going to struggle.

Subs

Melkonyan - 5: The first change and he settled although could not change the direction of things.

Dashyan - 5: Went on and was only able to help plug the gaps and stop Spain from netting a third.

Arakelyan - 5: Had one lively run that promised so much, but he was not able to repeat that.

SPAIN

Reina - 5.5: Had very little to do and when he did he did not carry it out as he should have come for the cross from which Armenia scored.

Sergio Ramos - 6.5: Playing on the right, the Real Madrid defender was able to break forward, but he did not produce enough crosses.

Puyol 6.5: Armenia may not have tested Reina much but rather than their inability it was more down to Spain's strong defence and he was solid.

Marchena - 5.5: Against opposition that offered only sporadic breaks forward he was exposed and deservedly booked during the first half.

Monreal - 6: One clumsy foul in the second half showed that his positioning requires work, but looks calm at the highest level.

Senna - 7: Creative on one side and solid on the other as he was pivotal in midfield, breaking up the opposition play and starting Spain's moves.

Cazorla - 7: Lively, but certainly did not take his shooting boots out against the former Soviet country.

Fabregas - 8.5: A stunning goal capped a great display from the player that proved that he can play alongside Barcelona's Xavi.

Xavi - 8: Without the Blaugrana star the Spain side are not the same and again he produced another display of close control, passing and vision.

Mata - 7: Did well to win the penalty and took it calmly, but could have done a lot better earlier on before going off in the second period.

Torres - 6: Seen as the man to mark, Armenia kept the Liverpool striker as much under wraps as they could and he was taken off.

Subs

Pique - 6: Confidence is something that the Catalan defender has in abundance and he calmly played the ball out time and again.

Iniesta - 6: Went on and was able to use his time to continue to find his rhythm after coming back from injury.

Negredo - 5.5: Was unable to find the same rhythm as his team-mates, but he looked strong and determined to make his mark.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

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