Second Round - Spain vs France

[m_vaughan]

Round of 16 match at Hanover on June 27 (1900 hrs GMT)

Spain vs France

France, despite having a disappointing start to the tournament, made their way to the knockout stages in the end with a 2-0 victory over Togo, and setup this mouth-watering clash with an inform Spanish side.

Discuss about this fantastic second round match here.

 

[aussie1st]

On form Spain should win easily. France just scraped through and didn't win a game until the final game. Should be a cracker none the less.

 

[IloveGilly]

Wow, incredibly hard to choose who will win but surely it would be Spain. Torres is in stunning form and with some support from Alonso and Raul at there best then it should be a great match.

France seem to struggle but this might be that little spark of light which they need. Henry and Trezeguet have been pretty damn bad this tournament but it will be hard for them to win if they find no form.

 

[sachin]

Well whats in france's favour is their defence who have played quite well,but with the possession they have,they should score much more.Frank Ribery missed a couple of sitters today...If France can nullify Spains attacking capabilities then they have a good chance of progressing as Spains defence really haven't been tested.

 

[m_vaughan]

If France can nullify Spains attacking capabilities then they have a good chance of progressing as Spains defence really haven't been tested.

Thats true although whenever the defence have been tested, they have looked extremely shaky especially Puyol, who was terrible in the game against Tunisia.

But then to be honest, even the French defensively havent impressed me much.

 

[Yorkshire_No1]

Should be a good match but Spain will be too strong. France havn't really hit top form for a while now and Spain are on a great run of results

 

[IloveGilly]

It's going to be quite hard for France to even get near the Spain attack. France has pretty much struggled with every match and can be considered a little lucky.

 

[usy]

France to win this, Zidance to come back on side remember, it maybe his last Match ever if France loose.

 

[m_vaughan]

If Zidane plays, Henry somehow underperforms.

 

[usy]

? erm I don't think this is thr case, Henry did score 1 goal on the match when Zidane played.

 

[edgarisapimp]

The case is that Ra?l should start for Garc?a and Joaqu?n should start for Senna. Even more important than the defense is Casillas. Although he let that big rebound v. Tunisia that led to a goal, he is one of the best keepers in the world. Henry won't be able to run through the defense, so long shots are in order. If Casillas is on his game, then Spain should have no trouble with France. France's defense hasn't faced any world-class strikers (Frei maybe), let alone 3. Thuram will be doing it all alone and Spain will pick them apart like the second half v. Tunisia.

 

[m_vaughan]

I dont think we should be too overconfident. After all it is France.

 

[Ritwik]

I dont think we should be too overconfident. After all it is France.

Not to mention that Spain are traditional under-performers when it comes to the World Cup.

However, I'll be rooting for the Spanish, hopefully they'll soundly thrash the French!

 

[m_vaughan]

Not to mention that Spain are traditional under-performers when it comes to the World Cup.

I think I am aware of that.

 

[edgarisapimp]

:crying Me too (*cough cough* Korea *cough* horrible refs *cough cough* ). But this Spanish side is coming off a tough-fought match v. Saudi Arabia and Aragon?s won't let them fall asleep (again). In any case, it looks to be a great contest.