World champions Spain destroyed Untied States 4-0 in a friendly game played in Foxborough. The game was rather a training session rather than a difficult test for Vicente del Bosque’s side who hit four past the hosts who refused to introduce its starters in. Coach Bob Bradley opted to test his reserves, Americans’ bench being occupied by the key players. The Europeans scored three of their four goals only in the first half, something which guaranteed a magnificent show in front of a 64,000 crowd which included plenty of FC Barcelona fans. Del Bosque started with some of the usual starters, including Pique, Ramos, Busquets and David Villa and introduced Iniesta, Casillas, Torres in the second part.
Foto Source: potomacsoccerwire.com
Cazorla finished the game with a double he started to build in the 28th minute. The striker brought the first lead of the game thanks to a tremendous counter-attack action which stunned the American defense and the finish of which was converted home with a superb well-placed shot. Manchester City playmaker David Silva fed the Villarreal midfielder inside the box for a spectacular strike past keeper Howard. Spain scored their second goal just four minutes later through Negredo following a personal drive he finished behind the net.
Things got much worse for the hosts when Cazorla completed his double four minutes before the half time. Another trade mark golden action developed by Silva and Negredo was finished past Howard for a comprehensive 3-0 lead. Del Bosque introduced Iniesta and Torres for Busquets and Villa respectively at the half time, while Bradley also made six changes at the break. Thus, he replaced Onyewo, Jones, Rogers, Edu, Altidore with some of the usual starters, including Bradley, Dempsey, Cherundolo, Goodson and Wondolowski.
20 minutes into the second part the two sides made three more changes. Spain replaced David Silva and Ramos with Capdevilla and Valero respectively, while Bradley sent Bedoya in for Agudelo. Torres then made it 4-0 following an outstanding pass from the middle to beat both his mark and Howard for game over. Spain set the friendly because they skipped the June 3 and 7 Euro 2012 qualifying rounds.
World Cup finalists the Netherlands also set a friendly against former world champions Brazil whom they held in a scoreless draw in Goiania, in what was a 2010 World Cup quarter final reiteration. Holland beat Brazil 201 last year to reach the South African final. Unfortunately, the game looked as on official game rather than a friendly as Chelsea start Ramirez was sent off with ten minutes left for a tough challenge on Arjen Robben.
Brazil dominated the game, but especially the second half which highlighted both Neymar and Robinho missing plenty of chances, but also a great-shaped debutant Tim Krul who kept the sheet clean for his side. Said coach Mano Menezes: “We had some normal difficulties in the first half, didn’t manage to mark Affelay well and gave away good chances to Holland that obliged Julio to make two excellent saves. We improved a lot in the second half, were sharper with our marking.” That was also Menezes’s first official game as national team manager.
