Spain's Subs Take The Plaudits

Spain’s 1-0 win in Paris on Tuesday night yet again underlined why this team have ruled international football majestically for the past 5 years. When the chips are down, when their backs are against the wall, they simply find a way to overcome the odds and get the desired result. At the Stade de France, against what is beginning to look like a really strong French side under Didier Deschamps, they did just that; snatching the three points to regain control of this World Cup qualifying group, just when it seemed they would stumble and complicate their route to Brazil next year.

For once, it wasn’t the artistes that took the plaudits. For all the pretty passing patterns that Xavi and Iniesta painted all night, the decisive goal was down to the speed and determination of the unsung Pedro, as well as the relentless drive and energy of substitute left back Nacho Monreal. After drifting past two Frenchmen and picking out the overlapping Monreal with a cross field pass, the Barca striker burst into the French box at such pace that he was in the back of the goal even before the ball, his strike having deflected off Hugo Lloris before bouncing across the goal line.

The Arsenal man had already made his mark on the game earlier, setting up Xavi after a surging run down the flank only for the captain to blaze over from 8 yards. Pedro’s earlier impact should have been even more telling, after Lloris brought him down in the box in the first half only for the referee to wave play on.

Much had been made, pre-match, of how much Spain were going to miss starting left back, Jordi Alba, yet Monreal’s performance was just further evidence of how much talent Spain have in reserve. As was the performance, in goal, of Barcelona ‘keeper Victor Valdes, who started again because of the injury-induced absence of team captain Iker Casillas.

For me, Valdez had as much to do with this victory as anyone else in Spanish red. First, he foiled Franck Ribery when it seemed more likely that the Frenchman would score in a one-on-one break midway through the first half. Then, with the French piling forward in a desperate search for an equalizer, his superb reflex save stopped Patrice Evra’s close range diving header to preserve Spain’s lead.

Two more worth a mention: midfield double pivot Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets. Not, this time, for their poise on the ball and controlled passing, but for their willingness to dig in, fight and put their bodies on the line for the cause. It was what this game called for and neither of them shrunk from the challenge forced on them by France’s energetic midfield trio of Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye. Busquets finished the game with a bandage turban for his troubles and Alonso is probably still nursing the bruise Pogba’s knee must have left on his neck.

This wasn’t one of Spain’s smooth, dominant performances, yet on a night of high pressure, and away to a decent French team, they were good value for their win. If anything, they certainly proved – after drawing their last two home games – that all those “end-of-an-era” obituaries may just be a tad premature.