Spain Win Against Czechs

The following articles highlight the process of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and their demise from the governance of international football and the rise of Global Futbol.

June 15th, 2018 (Match 4)

Spain Win Against Czechs

Spain 1-0 Czech Republic 

Spain has defeated the Czech Republic in a low-scoring game after Diego Costa’s 57-minute goal.

 

The Iberian side dominated the first half and had multiple shots �" especially in the first 16 minutes. Koubek, the Czech goalkeeper, kept his team in the game. It was this early work that earned him the Man of the Match. By halftime, Spain had accumulated nine shots in total, but only three stayed on target.

 

The Czechs showed signs of taking charge in the middle straight after the break. Dočkal had a chance to take the lead, but his shot fired over the bar, much to the relief of the Spanish spectators.

 

In the 57^thminute, Isco broke into the left hand side of the Czech box. He crossed the ball, only for Suchý to clear it away from Diego Costa. Iago Aspas, the halftime substitute, headed from the edge of the box back into dangerous territory. Costa had recovered by this stage and bicycle-kicked the ball with his left, scoring Spain’s first goal for the World Cup.

 

From this moment, Spain maintained general control of the match, and looked to consolidate where necessary. The tactics became more about drives and dribbles. No successful crosses hit their desired targets. Diego Costa made the most dribbles, though only half of them turned into something effective.

 

Surprisingly, Czech coach Karel Jarolím made no substitutes during the game, thinking his first eleven would break the Spanish defence. This was not the case, though they pressed hard in additional time to find a goal. Czech striker Tecl injured himself in additional time with a broken tibia after challenging for a cross in the box. He will miss the next two games and possibly the rest of the tournament, should they progress to the Round of 16.

 

Spain, meanwhile, take on a hapless Guatemala in five days, full of energy, but needing to improve in some areas.

 

 

Spain			Czech Republic
11 5 47 20 1 2 45 81	Shots Shots on Target Possession % Tackles Fouls Corners Shot Accuracy % Pass Accuracy %		4 1 53 18 1 0 25 79
45’ #21 David Silva off, #11 Aspas on 57’ #19 Diego Costa (#11 Aspas assist) 90’ #10 Isco off, #20 Niguez on