Sports

Spain Captivates Football World In S’ Africa

Published

16 years ago

July 11, 2010

How things have changed. Spain, once regarded as the serial chokers of world football, a side so averse to the big time they made the Leeds team of the 1970s look like the most resolute finishers in history, are closing in on the prize with all the lynx-eyed resolve of real champions. They may have started the competition with a defeat, but if they wind it up with a win they will demonstrate the fundamental truth of tournament football: it is those who improve who prosper.

Even as they were losing to Switzerland in that first game, however, there was manifold evidence that this was a team that was not about to fold. Unlike France, Italy and England, you could see the quality even in the defeat. The passes were going to feet, the movement was good, all that was lacking was the finishing touch.

And to a degree, that has been their one problem throughout this World Cup: like a big stage Arsenal, they seem to find it aesthetically demeaning to score a goal without first stringing together at least twenty passes.

Which made the goal they scored in the semi to see off the magnificent Germans even more telling. A thumping header of the least sophisticated sort pointed out that their previous failing was being addressed at precisely the right moment: Puyol’s terrific strike indicated this was a team prepared to do whatever it takes to win, even retreating to route one.

Yet, their goal-shyness will have been noted. Spain have won their last three encounters by the only goal scored in the match. If the Dutch can get an early strike (perhaps hoping for an English referee’s first minute penalty indulgence as they benefited from in 1974) that would enforce the Spaniards to do something they have not managed yet to do in the knock-out phase: score twice. That will be the instruction to Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder: get in there.

The trouble is, that is easier said than done. It is almost impossible to see how you can score against this Spain side. Sure, Switzerland managed it, but that was against a cold team, barely awake. By the time they had roused themselves they prevented even the Germans, who had run riot in three of their previous games, from finding a way through.

And it is little wonder. Not only do the Spanish boast defensive talents of the strength of Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Iker Casillas, they protect them with the finest midfield in the world right now. Actually some might dare to claim they are more than that: they are the finest midfield in World Cup history.

Watching Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso in action is to see the most perfectly balanced central unit it is possible to imagine (it is also to see what Liverpool lost when they allowed Alonso to head home to Real Madrid).

While English midfielders prefer to work in space, Xavi and Iniesta actually seem to relish it if they receive the ball with three men around them. That way they can create space for others. While clod-hopping Englishmen, sulky Frenchmen and arthritic Italians have found the abulani ball impossible to control (Emile Heskey, to quote an ancient joke, was trapping the thing further than Xavi can kick it) the Spaniards quickly mastered its idiosyncrasies, caressing the thing with perfect weight in the pass. Indeed, well as Sneijder, Bastien Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil played, it would be hard to argue against the Spanish midfield forming the heart of any best-of XI from this World Cup.

Sports

Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues

Published

18 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

Sports

City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road

Published

18 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

Sports

PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1

Published

18 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.