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2-0

Spain get their World Cup campaign back on track with David Villa’s two goals.

After last week’s shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening match, coach Vicente del Bosque fielded a more ambitious 4-4-2 formation at Ellis Park, with Fernando Torres joining strike partner Villa in a two-pronged attack.

Spain were dominant from the start, although an error-prone Honduran side helped their cause. Villa missed a second-half penalty and could have had a hat-trick in the match.

SpainVHonduras

Emilio Izaguirre of Honduras appears to handball a kick from Fernando Torres of Spain during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group H match between Spain and Honduras at Ellis Park Stadium on June 21, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Chances were coming thick and fast and Fernando Torres, back in the starting lineup following his recovery from knee surgery squandered two openings in two minutes just after the half hour.

Villa doubled Spain’s lead six minutes into the second half when Jesus Navas cut the ball back to him on the edge of the area and his deflected shot looped over Valladares into the net.

7-0

Portugal midfielders Raul Meireles and Tiago help Portugal trash North Korea.

Carlos Queiroz made four changes to the side that started in the goalless draw with the Ivory Coast, one of them forced, the others designed to spur his side into scoring.

He said:

“It was a great display, good goals, great attitude. We needed a moment like this, a well-played game so that the motivation and confidence can be even bigger now.”

Ironically, it was the substitution he was forced to make with Deco’s hip injury that worked best. Tiago was involved in everything Portugal did well.

PortugalVNorthKorea

Hugo Almeida of Portugal scores.

Hugo Almeida, another change in the eleven, headed in and Liedson scored just after coming on. Ronaldo scored a rather comical a goal, the ball hit the back of his neck before falling for him.

Portugal will take heart from his performance, his constant shooting hitting the bar, the keeper or going just wide.

The rout gives Portugal a goal count that will almost surely take them to the next round even if they lose to Brazil. But with their midfield flowing smoothly and Ronaldo back in form they will fancy their chances of beating the Brazilians.

1-0

Chile kept their place at the top of Group H with a bitterly-fought 1-0 win over a stubborn 10-man Switzerland on Monday.

Second half substitute Mark Gonzalez headed home a cross from Esteban Paredes with 15 minutes to go to finally break down a tight Swiss defence that had earlier broke Italy’s World Cup record of 550 minutes without conceding a goal.

The match lived up to its billing as an ugly midfield stalemate, with the Swiss crowding out centre of the pitch and smothering Chile’s free-flowing attacks, even after having Valon Behrami sent off in the 31st minute for violent conduct.

ChileVSwitzerland

Stephan Lichtsteiner of Switzerland challenges Jean Beausejour of Chile during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group H match between Chile and Switzerland at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 21, 2010 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Chile attacked the Swiss continuously and had their first chance after ten minutes when Swiss keeper Diego Benaglio was forced into a superb double save from Arturo Vidal then Carlos Carmona from long range.

Switzerland were reduced to 10 men after the half hour mark when Behrami was adjudged to have elbowed Vidal, who slumped theatrically to the ground clutching his face.

Categories: World Cup 2010

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