2:22 AM
MUHAMMAD USMAN AWAN
On Saturday night the 14th of November 2009 Spain and Argentina played a friendly in Madrid to celebrate the 100th anniversary / centenary of the Spanish Football Federation. Both Spain and Argentina had Real Madrid players in the squad for the match.
For Argentina Higuain and Gago with both in the starting 11 on the night.
For Spain Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, and Xabi Alonso were among the starters. Arbeloa and Albiol on the bench.
In a way this was also Iker Casillas’ night since he played his match number 100 for Spain. So it was a double 100th anniversary.
The great hero on the night turned out to be Xabi Alonso though who scored 2 goals. The first goal was a loose ball in the box which he reached before the defenders and put away. The second goal was a penalty up in the upper lefthand corner of the goal.
The Spanish press was happy about the result and the performance by the team. During the first half Argentina hardly was in possession of the ball and did not create many chances. Spain on the other was in total control and came to several chances beyond the goal which gave them a 1-0 halftime lead.
Inside the newspaper each player is given a grade for the performance. The scale goes from 3 – 1 with 3 being the highest. 0 is failed or without qualification.
Casillas – 2
Sergio Ramos – 2
Puyol – 2
Albiol – 1
Pique – 2
Capdevila – 2
Xabi Alonso – 3
Busquets – 3
Silva – 2
Negredo – 1
Xavi – 1
Cesc – 1
Iniesta – 3
Navas – 1
Villa – 2
Mata – 1
Del Bosque (coach) – 2
Since it was a friendly both teams were allowed to undertake all the substitutions they wanted in the second half.
Man of the match has to be Xabi Alonso with 2 goals and a strong performance at the middle of the field.
On the Argentinian side of the ball neither Higuain nor Gago came to much. Both Higuain and Gago would have to settle for the grade “1″. The best players on the Argentinian team on the night were Liverpool midfielder Mascherano , Benfica winger Di Maria , and FC Bayern midfielder / defender Demichelis. All 3 of them could get 2 for the performance on the night.
For Argentina Higuain and Gago with both in the starting 11 on the night.
For Spain Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, and Xabi Alonso were among the starters. Arbeloa and Albiol on the bench.
In a way this was also Iker Casillas’ night since he played his match number 100 for Spain. So it was a double 100th anniversary.
The great hero on the night turned out to be Xabi Alonso though who scored 2 goals. The first goal was a loose ball in the box which he reached before the defenders and put away. The second goal was a penalty up in the upper lefthand corner of the goal.
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| Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pique and more |
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| Spanish press following the Spain - Argentina 2-1 match |
Casillas – 2
Sergio Ramos – 2
Puyol – 2
Albiol – 1
Pique – 2
Capdevila – 2
Xabi Alonso – 3
Busquets – 3
Silva – 2
Negredo – 1
Xavi – 1
Cesc – 1
Iniesta – 3
Navas – 1
Villa – 2
Mata – 1
Del Bosque (coach) – 2
Since it was a friendly both teams were allowed to undertake all the substitutions they wanted in the second half.
Man of the match has to be Xabi Alonso with 2 goals and a strong performance at the middle of the field.
On the Argentinian side of the ball neither Higuain nor Gago came to much. Both Higuain and Gago would have to settle for the grade “1″. The best players on the Argentinian team on the night were Liverpool midfielder Mascherano , Benfica winger Di Maria , and FC Bayern midfielder / defender Demichelis. All 3 of them could get 2 for the performance on the night.
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