2014 World Cup: Did Brazil Provide the Blueprint to Dethrone Spain?

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: July 2, 2013

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The comparisons of Spain to Barcelona recently have been endless, as many question whether their reigns of dominance are coming to a close with major losses to Brazil and Bayern Munich, respectively. The two teams play brilliant tika-taka football, with excellent passing combinations that bewilder and frustrate teams for minutes on end, as they are unable to come near touching the ball. 

Fortunately for those that have been victimized by Spain, Brazil might have confirmed the correct way to defeat the only international team in this mold.

In Sunday's FIFA Confederations Cup final, Spain was continually stifled by high pressure and an endless barrage of attacks by Brazil's midfielders and forwards. The passing lanes we usually see for Iniesta and Xavi were gone or closed up by Luis Gustavo and Paulinho.

In the rare occasion they were able to complete a pass or gain a touch, Brazilian defenders came in droves from multiple angles to force the ball backwards into Spain's half or gain possession for themselves to start a vicious counter-attack. 

After the first half, many wondered whether Brazil could sustain this pressure if it had only been the amplified energy, spurred on by the raucous home crowd, that empowered them. Sure enough, they disproved any lingering doubts in the second half, and while the last 15 minutes or so might have dropped a notch or two in intensity, victory was never in doubt for Brazil.

Spain's only two significant chances came in the 41st minute, when Julio Cesar was beaten on a counter only for Pedro's shot to be cleared by a sliding David Luiz, and a 55th minute penalty kick by Sergio Ramos that flew over the bar. The former chance was the more crucial one simply because it would have leveled a match against the run of play.

If Pedro had indeed scored, the outcome of the match might have been different and the momentum could have potentially swung in favor of Spain, bu...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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