Really silly what I'm reading here regarding Xavi vs Netherlands, as if his "defensive liability" had anything to do with the Dutch goals, which were all the result of fantastic long pass play and finishing by the Dutch or defensive errors (or a combination of both):
1. Left back crosses from touch to RVP, who hits a wonderful header. Great cross, great movement and finish by RVP. Defensive error: poor offsides trap.
2. Nearly identical: long cross again from left touch to Robben this time, who controls fantastically. Defensive error: Pique dives in.
3. Free kick from wide: Casillas blocked off the ball, ball drops in at the back post. Just one of those cross roulette garbage goals that go in sometimes.
4. RVP takes advantage of Casillas' horrible touch off a back pass. Entirely Casillas' fault.
5. Robben speeds past Ramos to collect a long outlet ball from the back, and brilliantly carries it all the way and finishes.
All the goals bypassed the midfield entirely.
All Xavi did was set up Costa twice (once for the penalty) and do his usual thing. Credit to the Dutch attack, which was excellent, but game could have easily gone the other way. This was by far the toughest Group Stage game on the schedule for the entire tournament, and it was a pleasure to see the technical ability of both teams, which will be sorely lacking in most other fixtures. With the exception of the shaky offsides trap, Spain looked quite sharp in the first half. The Dutch, despite their attacking display, showed they are also quite vulnerable in the back, and wouldn't be surprised to see Chile nick a draw or a win.
Though their defense is clearly vulnerable to world class attackers, reports of Spain's demise are greatly exaggerated.
