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Xavi - Spain's best performance

Xavi - Spain's best performance so far

Posted: 2010-06-30 07:47

Spain midfield lynchpin Xavi has praised the European champions efforts against Portugal, labelling the 1-0 win as their best performance of the World Cup so far.

The Barcelona midfield maestro stressed the importance of the first goal and said that credit must go to Spain's defence for keeping Cristiano Ronaldo quiet throughout the round of 16 tie in Cape Town.

"We have played an intelligent game. We've been great on defence. It was a great Spain in the second half. We have been at a very good level, our best match," he noted afterwards before the assembled media.

"The key was to score first. Portugal lives on how their defence plays. We countered their counter-attack well, except for one chance to Simao. Eduardo, their goalkeeper, has been phenomenal and that's why we failed to score more goals. He even saved El Guaje's first shot for the goal.

"We had control of the game, completely and based on a solid defence. We have done a fantastic job. It's a credit to our defence that a man like Ronaldo disappeared from the game."

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'The Controversial One': 2010-06-30 08:08

Germany will exit Argentina.

Spain will beat Paraguay.

Spain will beat Germany in the semis.

Ghana will narrowly beat Uruguay.

Brazil will outclass Holland.

Brazil will struggle and narrowly beat Ghana in the semis.

I predict a Spain/ Brazil Final......Guess who will win it..surprise, surprise...

ESPANYOL WILL WIN THIS WORLD CUP!

Busani: 2010-06-30 08:10

Aag shame, football superman was more like football dudderman, Ronaldo is a cheat, he cheat his own team mates, the boy does not do sh*t in a pitch when he plays for his country, all he does is bark instruction to his teammates. He didn't have even one defensive tussle, he expect his teammate to bust their a$$ and then give the ball, come on superman, thats not how it goes, but hey thats when you go...

SIR ESPANA : 2010-06-30 08:48

.1 GAME AT A TIME NOW 4 PARGAY...FISH N CHIPS ND RUSSIAN OUT OF THE WAY...VAMOS LA ROJA

Disco: 2010-06-30 09:32

Ronaldo is quality and no matter who says what, that’ll never change. Football is a team sport and players are as good as their teammates. How can we expect this laaitie to demolish the Spaniard alone? He never got support from his teammates. Even if he tried, the defense was all over him anyway.

I think Portugal players didn’t give enough and that was their downfall. Still, I’m not convinced about the Spaniards – my opinion which is neither right nor wrong. I don’t see Spain going all the way. If they do, I’ll be surprised, unless they up their game going forward.

They need to be up there with Germany, Argentina, Brazil (good but not excellent) – my opinion. So don’t kill me on this one cause I know Brazillians are the probably the majority.

Blessed

Jingotres: 2010-06-30 10:10

Disco: 2010-06-30 09:32

"The reason you don't see Espanyol going through"" is because they Trashed your Beloved Portugal and your "Best player in the world" Christina Ronaldo.
I'll advice you Sir to put emotions aside & think twice because Spain will go all the Way,just like Brazil.
It was very very simple & clear from start,that Portugal where gonna lose to Spain.
It was like FC Porto + Benfica vs Barcelona + Real Madrid.
Soccer Knowledge should be applied before the Game.

Disco: 2010-06-30 11:35

Jonathan: 2010-06-30 10:10 [ Report ]

Jonathan, you are wrong my blah. Portugal is not my team and it is still my opinion that Ronaldo is still quality, not the best player in the world – my opinion again.

All was saying is, let’s not expect one man, playing with a bunch of average players, to come out and win the game alone. That’s asking the impossible.

True that Spain has quality players. But for me, Spain needs to up their gear if they expect to win this one. They’ve got quality players, but I will always say one thing – A GAME OF FOOTBALL IS WON ON THE DAY (90MIN), WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE AND COMMITMENT. If you excellent players who perform on that day, you win. If you have them and they don’t perform you lose. It’s so simple.

However, if you cows who are committed on the day (90min) and still give 100%, you might win the game. That’s football my bredren

So you know, I will always be a proud Argentina supporter, because of El Diego and the way the play. Before and after 2010 WC. If you remember guys like Claudio Cannija, Pablo Aimar, Pablo Requelme, Ariel Ortega,etc. To me He is and always will be the KING OF FUTBAL - my rightful opinion which I reserve the right for.

Blessed