COSTA RICA 2 SPAIN 2 | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

Spanish International & Real Madrid Goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS played his 127 International match for the SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM against COSTA RICA to make him the highest "capped" player in SPANISH FOOTBALL History.

However COSTA RICA nearly "rained" on the special day for Casillas & the current World Champions drawing with  SPAIN 2 - 2 & again lifting Spanish eye-brows & some enquiring questions. Costa Rica played an excellent match & were more motived than the Spaniards who looked slow & sloppy, something unusual in the first 45 mins. The Spanish Team has become predictable & opponents can figure out what & where they need to tighten the screws to make Spain suffer for their victories. This,  & the lately acquired habit of Spain insisting in attacking via the middle makes the FIFA World Champions smash into the opponents defensive wall. But to Spain´s credit they managed to comeback with pride in the 2º half when they changed the playing style & finally used the wings. 


Spanish Football
Brenes


Costa Rica did their initial damage in the 1ºst half being very aggressive, blocking the Spanish ball dominance & working their counter-attacking style. The first goal came via a Casillas mistake that allowed RANDELL BRENES to chip over for the first goal in the 30th min. 


Spanish Football
Campbell


Costa Rica continued with their game plan & JOEL CAMPBELL curled a "beauty" out of reach of a stretching Casillas. The Spanish defence was not looking good at this stage.

The 2º half saw Spain change tactically & bring on right winger Navas (for Mata) , Cazorla (Xavi), Busquet (for Xabi Alonso)...pushing Iniesta to the left wing. Spanish Coach Del Bosque was looking to break the "go through the middle" habit & it seemed to work. The Spaniards increased their efficiency further when David Silva came on & the chances of goal began to appear. David Villa & Iniesta had some really close calls as Costa Rica goalie Navas began working with some important saves & then the mistake by Costa Rica Coach Pinto that changed his set up to defend: Spain then was handed the iniciative.



Spanish Football
David Villa


The goal chances began following - Ramos missed a header - & then Iniesta from his wing found DAVID SILVA who scored in the 83rd min. The equalizer came in the last moment via DAVID VILLA in the 90+ min. Spain saved by a hair.


Admirable the comeback by Spain which played a lot better in the second half & deserved their goals;  Costa Rica wrongly decided to only defend & pass the initiative to Spain when they were 2 goals ahead & finally some need for analysis of the Spanish play & attempt to rectify some bad habits before the big 2012 Euro Championships


Next International Friendly for Spain will be February 2011.

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