Live commentary: Australia - Spain 0:3 (World Cup 2014 Brazil, Group B)

» Live commentary

Slideshow World Cup 2014 Brazil Group B, Australia - Spain

Australia	Monday, 23. June 2014 17:00 Clock	Spain
	0:3

goals
0 : 1	David Villa 36. / right-footed shot (Juanfran)
0 : 2	Fernando Torres 69. / right-footed shot (Iniesta)
0 : 3	Mata 82. / left-footed shot (Cesc Fàbregas)

90'		Endgame Summary: Spain at least gets a win out of an otherwise disastrous World Cup campaign. The defending champions easily dispatched an outmatched underdog, but send packing after the group stage they have to figure out their future in the next weeks. Many veteran as well as coach Del Bosque could resign after the tournament, effectively ending an era in international football. The Spanish team that dominated tournaments starting with the European Championship in 2008 can be considered on of the if not the best of all time and their reign was stopped this year. Australia could make some noise in their earlier matches, but had no answer and energy left today.
90'		Full-Time
90'		Mile Jedinak (Australia) is shown a yellow card The captain is booked as well and sets up a dangerous free-kick. But no danger evolves and seconds later the final whistle blows!
89'		We're entering three minutes of stoppage time and Spain is aiming for a fourth one as Cesc Fàbregas can't beat Ryan.
88'		Silva is picked out at the edge of the box from the left and fires his shot just wide.
88'		Matthew Špiranović (Australia) is shown a yellow card A late challenge gets him booked.
86'		The champions continue to pressure the opposition, they have progressively found their rhythm today.
84'		Raúl Albiol doesn't have to be brought off after going down a few minutes ago and so another vital player of the outstanding run in recent years is the last to be substituted.
84'		Substitution (in) Spain -> David Silva
84'		Substitution (out) Spain -> Xabi Alonso
83'		There is no answer for Australia to the lethal accuracy and pace in front of the box whenever Spain chooses to show it.
82'		Goooal for Spain, 0:3 by Mata Davidson is caught off position at a cross from the left and loses the United player in his back. Mata finishes in between the goalkeeper's legs from a tight angle.
81'		Spain is already milking some clock and poke around the ball in midfield.
79'		Raúl Albiol goes down holding his leg and Vicente Del Bosque might be forced to make a change here.
77'		With declining energy from the Aussies Spain could be pressing for another goal, but they aren't that determined.
75'		Australia seems to give in and Spain circles around their penalty area without finding another through-ball.
73'		The veteran, who wasn't fit enough to start, comes on for the last quarter of the game.
72'		Substitution (in) Australia -> Mark Bresciano
72'		Substitution (out) Australia -> Oliver Bozanic
70'		The game should be well out of reach for Australia with that goal. The Red Fury will grab a final victory today.
69'		Goooal for Spain, 0:2 by Fernando Torres At the edge of the box Iniesta squeezes a brillaint ball behind the Australian defense to a starting Torres, who calmly places it beyond Ryan.
68'		Cesc Fàbregas was subbed in against the Netherlands and gets some minutes today as well. The midfielder will be playing for Chelsea next season.
68'		Substitution (in) Spain -> Cesc Fàbregas
68'		Substitution (out) Spain -> Santi Cazorla
66'		At least substitute Halloran brings a bit more drive to the table and actually challenges the defense.
63'		Ben Halloran beats Ramos on the right side, delivers a fine ball into the area, but no teammate finds himself at the end of the ball.
62'		Sergio Ramos (Spain) is shown a yellow card The Real player is the first in the books in an otherwise very fair match. It's a quiet afternoon for Nawaf Shukralla.
61'		Postecoglou continues to search for more offensive punch and replaces one of his wings.
61'		Substitution (in) Australia -> James Troisi
61'		Substitution (out) Australia -> Tommy Oar
59'		Spain has clearly taken a foot off the gas. Although they are on their path of winning the match, they'll be glad when they can head home from the disappointing World Cup.
58'		Villa shows some emotion on the bench because this game will likely mark the end to his international career. He scored 59 goals in 97 caps for Spain.
57'		The goalscorer leaves the pitch after being one of the brighter spots in the first half but failed to impress after the break.
57'		Substitution (in) Spain -> Mata
57'		Substitution (out) Spain -> David Villa
54'		Seconds later Iniesta finds Torres, but his back-heel effort is ruled out by the officials due to an offside position.
53'		Iniesta penetrates the Australian box from the left, but can't poke the ball through to a teammate in the middle.
51'		Australia tries to create something off their wings, but both Oar and Halloran are cut off.
49'		It's not a poor match per se so far, but the second half starts off with little intensity from both the players and the stands. After all the teams can't fully hide that they have nothing to play for.
47'		Postecoglou comes out of the half with a change as Adam Taggart didn't work out as Cahill replacement. Mathew Leckie will move into the centre forward spot and Halloran takes over at the wing.
46'		Substitution (in) Australia -> Ben Halloran
46'		Substitution (out) Australia -> Adam Taggart
46'		Second Half begins
45'		Halftime Summary: The champions are on their way to the first victory in the World Cup. After a shaky start the favorite began to settle and although they failed to apply sustained pressure, their lead is well deserved. Without Tim Cahill Australia looks rather toothless up front and will have to be a bit more courageous in the second half.
45'		Half-Time
44'		One minutes is added. The Aussies win a final free-kick, but can't create something.
44'		A picked up loose pass from Jedinak sets up Cazorla on the left flank, who chips the ball over an onrushing Ryan, but McGowan clears behind his keeper.
44'		Pepe Reina catches the Australian defense sleeping with a long ball, but keeper Ryan is aware and heads the danger away before any strikers can get to it.
43'		With the lead Spain surrenders possession to the Aussies and waits for its chances in transition.
41'		Koke tries on from deep and fires the shot just wide from 28 yards.
40'		The Socceroos have to find a bit more offense now and move up into Spanish territory.
38'		That's undoubtedly deserved for Spain, who controlled the game throughout although lacking quality chances.
36'		Goooal for Spain, 0:1 by David Villa Finally some magic from the reigning champions! Iniesta beautifully brings Juanfran into play behind Davidson on the right side. The full back delivers a cut-back to his Atlético teammate in the box, who back-heels the ball into the net!
34'		Villa breaks through on the left and delivers a fine ball into the six yard box, but neither Koke, Torres nor Cazorla get to the ball.
33'		The favorite has to settle for many aerial balls and that's certainly not a recipe for success.
32'		Spain plays a corner short and eventually all the way back to Pepe Reina. What a poor execution as they couldn't find the cross into the area and they rightfully hear it from the crowd.
30'		Spain patiently plays into Australian territory, but they lack a certain punch so far.
28'		The Socceroos still successfully disrupt the Spanish play, but can't anything going up front.
26'		Spain has to make an early change, but it's only a new jersey for Torres, who claims it at the sideline for his teared one.
25'		That's more what we expected anyway, Australia will look to go out in transition.
24'		After a shaky start the champions are more and more in control.
22'		Spain is getting closer to the goal and can finally establish their tiki-taka style of play in midfield.
20'		Iniesta picks out Villa at the backpost from the right and the Atlético hammers the volley high and wide.
18'		The Red Fury is slowly finding its way into the match, Wilkinson again has to thwart danger as a ball is slipped through to Villa, but the centre back does well again.
16'		Finally Spain has its first effort! The crisp passing that made them famous sets up Cazorla at the edge of the box, but his shot is blocked by Wilkinson.
15'		The pace is good though, but both teams lose possession way too quick.
13'		It's surprisingly the Aussies who look more potent up front early on. Davidson whips a cross in to the area, but can't pick out Mathew Leckie.
11'		We're still waiting for the first attempt on target as both sides battle in midfield.
9'		Australia is certainly not the best opponent if you're looking to play out of a funk. Postecoglou's physical side closes down the midfield and chases every ball. It's going to be hard work for the champions to get through.
7'		Spain tries to establish some possession in midfield, but doesn't look too comfortable so far.
5'		It's been an encouraging start for the Aussies and Spain continues their uncharacteristically sloppy play that we've seen in the first two matches.
4'		Taggart tries to run down a pass into the penalty area, but guided by keeper Pepe Reina the ball rolls behind for a goal-kick.
2'		Australia tries to press the favorite from the start and force some early errors.
1'		We are underway! The underdog is sporting its yellow jerseys, Spain is playing in black. On a sarcastic note: The color fits the burial of the Spanish dominance in recent years.
1'		Kick-Off
		What's it going to be for the Red Fury? A complete embarrassment or an end on a high note? We're all set and Bahrain referee Nawaf Shukralla will shortly lead the teams onto the pitch.
		In search of their first win of the campaign, Ange Postecoglou fields his strongest team, but has to replace his star Tim Cahill, who scored that superb goal against the Netherlends and is suspended with his second yellow card in the tournament. Adam Taggart will be handed the difficult task replacing the striker up front and additionally Bozanic will return into the starting eleven in place of the injured Mark Bresciano.
		Meanwhile the Aussies, albeit still pointless as well, can look back on some tenacious efforts so far. As clear-cut underdogs in group B, they challenged both Chile and the Netherlands and on a lucky day, they could even have gotten a point out of these matches. The Socceroos might be the lowest ranked team in Brazil, but surely have nothing to fear against a reeling Spanish side.
		The full lineups are available here.
		But that's the future and Spain has to focus on today's game first. Del Bosque expectedly made a lot of changes and will give his reserves a go. Only Iniesta, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso remain in the starting lineup, which also means we might have seen veterans Iker Casillas and Xavi play for the last time in a World Cup match against Chile. The reigning champions were quick to dismiss any buzz about a potential lack of motivation heading into the match, the players on the pitch are expected to represent their country with pride.
		The poor performance in the campaign could very well lead to a drastic makeover for the Spanish side as Del Bosque already hinted to resign after the tournament and the magic of the once glorious midfield and offense looked to have worn off with the current personnel. The upcoming weeks will show, but we probably can expect a vastly different squad in the next big tournament.
		The humiliation of the Red Fury was the first major upset during the World Cup. Del Bosque's squad never stood a chance against both the Netherlands and Chile and just like Italy in 2010, the defending champion has to part after the group stage once again. To avoid a final embarrassment, Spain will at least look to grab a victory against the Socceroos before they head home.
		Janosch Ferda is commentating the match for you. Enjoy!
		Welcome to the first set of matches from the FIFA World Cup today! We start to wrap up the group stage as already eliminated Spain and Australia face each other in Curitiba.