Abject Spain crash out of tournament

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Fernando Hierro’s Spain were left licking their wounds as they crashed out of the World Cup Following a disappointing performance that leaves many querying where they go from here.

Spain went ahead early in the tie when 38-year-old Russian defender Sergei Ignashevich inadvertently turning a Marco Asensio free kick into his own net as he bid to stop Sergio Ramos at the back post.

Despite going ahead, Spain failed to turn their dominance into further chances and paid the price before half-time as the tournament hosts secured a shock penalty as Artem Dzyuba’s header from a corner hit Gerard Pique‘s outstretched arm. Continue reading

Has an unlikely hero emerged for the Spanish national team?

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Despite topping their group following a dramatic 2-2 draw with Morocco last night, even the most ardent of Spanish football fans will feel that their World Cup campaign has yet to reach the high expectations that are set for the national team.

With the slow erosion of the national team’s tiki-taka prime since the retirement of the iconic duo of Xabi and Puyol, coupled with Iniesta’s waning influence on proceedings and the omission of Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas, Spanish football is facing an identity crisis shaped by an uncertainty as to the sort of team that they now are.

This loss of a strategic approach to their last two international tournaments, Continue reading

Iago Aspas must start for Spain against Portugal

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Not long now until Spain take on Portugal in what’s expected to be one of the games of World Cup 2018.

Though Julen Lopetegui still remains unbeaten as Spain coach since taking the job from Vicente del Bosque, there’ve been a few worrying signs in their last two friendlies against Switzerland and Tunisia.

Neither side pose the same threat as Cristiano Ronaldo and Co., and yet they made life difficult for La Roja in their warm-up games for the tournament.

Continue reading

La Liga Team of the Week Match May 38

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An enthralling La Liga season has drawn to a close and many of the division’s stars will now be turning their minds to the upcoming World Cup in Russia. But who made a final in the last round of fixtures to secure a place in the last Team of the Week?

Marc ter Stegen, Barcelona – seven points

A final clean sheet of the campaign rounded off what has been a wonderful season for the German.

With 113 points to his name, ter Stegen will be eyeing a starting berth for his national team come the World Cup. Continue reading

La Liga team of the week

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La Liga threw up some surprising results last weekend, as well as one unsurprising star performance. Check out our team of the week, here!

Daniel Gimenez, Real Betis – seven points

A clean sheet in his first game of the season in Betis colours saw Gimenez’s team on their way to 2-0 win over Eibar.

His exploits in this rare appearance will have him hoping he can vie for a more regular berth in the team.

Victor Laguardia, Alaves – nine points

He may have only secured 21 points over the entirety of the season but Laguardia’s stella performance on the weekend saw him land a perhaps unexpected place in our team of the week.

Having given his side the lead in the first half, Laguardia then went on to keep a clean sheet to boot as his side ran out 2-0 winners.

Antonio Barragan, Real Betis – seven points

In what are perhaps unusual statistics for a defender, Barragan has bagged five assists this season but contributed to just seven clean sheets.

One of them came this weekend for former Liverpool man who is on loan from Middlesbrough- as he played a key role in a resolute performance for Betis.

Ruben Duarte, Alaves – five points

Another to benefit from Alaves’ clean sheet, Duarte is now on eight for the season – seeing him land on 21 points come the final whistle.

The win saw Alaves end a poor run of form as they appear to be safe from any residual threat of relegation.

Raul Navas, Sociedad – five points

Having started his 14th game of the campaign, Navas secures his fifth clean sheet – a fact that highlights how assured he can be when on his game.

Sociedad now sit in 12th place in the table and will be hoping the win is a platform from which they can launch an end of season burst from.

Pablo Hernandez, Celts Vigo – six points

The Celta midfielder marked his 25th game of the season with two assists as his team mate Iago Aspas led them to an inspired win this weekend.

Now 31, the Chilean International has failed to grab an assist to this point, but has secured 25 points.

Adnan Januzaj, Real Sociedad – six points

The Belgian midfielder bagged his side’s second goal in their 5-0 win as he hit three goals and 25 points for the season.

His career may have underwhelmed since he burst onto the scenes at Manchester United but there is now doubting his raw ability.

David Zurutuza, Real Sociedad – six points

Zurutuza secured two assists in his team’s comprehensive victory, an outstanding feat considering he only came onto the pitch in the 64th minute.

The French-born Spanish midfielder has been largely peripheral this season but will home that this performance can but him in the manager’s mind as an inconsistent season enters its final throes.

 Sergio Canales, Real Sociedad – five points

The former Madrid and Valencia man has made Sociedad his home since arriving in 2014.

The attacking midfielder opened the scoring for his side as they recorded a resounding victory over Girona.

Lionel Messi, Barcelona – 14 points

The iconic attacker netted a hat-trick in his side’s 3-1 victory over Leganes to put Barca 11 points clear of Atletico.

With 29 goals now to his name, could the Argentine be on the brink of a record sixth Ballon d’Or?

Iago Aspas, Celta Vigo – 14 points

The Spanish international has exemplified how perfect a fit he and Celta are this season, scoring a hat-trick against Sevilla to put him 19 goals for the season.

With 78 points to his name this campaign, it will be intriguing to see just how high he can finish.

If you enjoy Spanish football, then invite your friends and challenge them at www.fantasy-liga.com now!

Los 5 mejores delanteros de la jornada 11 en la Liga

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En la undécima jornada de la Liga se ha visto buen fútbol y se han marcado goles. Prueba de ello es que en todos los estadios de Primera se ha anotado al menos un gol. Pero, ¿quiénes han sido las estrellas de esta jornada en lo que al ataque y al juego ofensivo se refiere?

Sansone (Villarreal)
El italo-alemán marcó un doblete, algo que tiene más merito porque salió desde el banquillo y porque clave para que el submarino amarillo se llevara los tres puntos y continúe con su escalada. Sansone se presenta para formar parte del once titular en un ataque glorioso donde todos los delanteros son sinónimo de gol. Continue reading

Los 5 mejores delanteros de la jornada 8 en la Liga

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Una nueva jornada cargada de goles en el campeonato nacional, sobre todo los que se pudieron ver en el Villamarín (Betis 3 – Valencia 6) y en el estadio de Gran Canaria (Las Palmas 2 – Celta 5). Y estos han sido los mejores delanteros de la jornada 8 en la Liga.

Iago Aspas (Celta)
El gallego ha tardado en estrenarse en la Liga, pero lo ha hecho por todo la alto. Un triplete en una victoria merecida del equipo celeste para mirar de reojo la zona alta de la clasificación y escaparse de los fantasma que rodean la zona peligrosa. Aspas nunca falla.

Bakambú (Villareal)
El delantero del submarino continúa con su racha goleadora que, por ahora, parece no tener techo. Al triplete de la última jornada le ha seguido un doblete en Girona para certificar la victoria y proseguir con la racha positiva desde el cambio de entrenador. Jornada tras jornada, Bakambú es una mina de oro.

Gonçalo Guedes (Valencia)
El portugués está demostrando que Marcelino lo trajo por algo. No para de dejar destellos de calidad y fue clave en la victoria valencianista (con gol y asistencia) en la que el conjunto ché anotó 6 tantos.

Santi Mina (Valencia)
En la victoria valencianista hubo muchos nombres propios y también cabe destacar al joven Santi Mina. El delantero tiene pocos minutos, pero los que juega los exprime al máximo. Un gol en Sevilla que lanza al equipo a la segunda posición.

Joel Campbell (Betis)
En la lluvia de goles del Villamarín, con espectáculo de fútbol incluido, también hay que destacar a un delantero bético. Campbell gusta mucho a Setién y tiene conquistada a la afición. Un gol suyo sirvió para desatascar a los franjiverdes que, pese al abultado resultado, realizaron un buen partido en ataque.