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Jon’s — Ultimate National Challenge — FINAL MUST READ!
Hello readers and this is my final game with England, I decided it’s time to move on and pursue my career somewhere else! Where? Who knows let’s see what offers end up in my inbox!
So as you no it’s the World Cup final it’s my England team and Vincente Bel Bosque Spain, two great teams in my eyes and two teams who have both won the World Cup once and are looking to get their second World Cup honour! With Spain holders of the cup it’s up to England to knock them off the top of the world!
Spain’s story to the final;
World Cup European Qualifying Section Group 2;
Spain was able to top the table of 6 teams with Italy coming in second.
World Cup Group D;
Switzerland 1 – 1 Spain
Spain 3 – 3 Mali
Australia 0 – 1 Spain
World Cup Second Round;
Belarus 0 – 2 Spain
World Cup Quarter Finals;
Brazil 0 – 1 Spain
World Cup Semi Finals;
Spain 2 – 0 Italy
England’s story to the final;
World Cup European Qualifying Section Group 3;
England was able to top the group of 6 teams with Croatia coming in second.
World Cup Group B;
Portugal 1 – 1 England
England 1 – 0 Saudi Arabia
Ecuador 0 – 4 England
World Cup Second Round;
Belgium 1 – 2 England
World Cup Quarter Finals;
England 4 – 1 Holland
World Cup Semi Finals;
England 2 – 0 Colombia
So that’s the road to final for both teams and they both look good and very entertaining!
Here are three pictures from my game, I personally think that two of them are good things and one not so good, you be the judge!
Firstly the bad one;
Spain are the favourites to win the Final, but as you can see they are only slight favourites so people I’ll put my money on England I’ve got a good feeling about this!
The Good news;
So a former international has said we can beat Spain, the only down side to this is that it does not name the international but it is good that we have people behind us who think we can beat Spain.
This is one of my personal favourites since the start of the game and here it is;
It has certainly made my year (2014) Frank Lampard has retired and now I have no guilt of not picking a “Fans favourite” what’s your view on this? Good or bad?
Right now time for the England squad and I’ve opted to show the player profiles of the First eleven so you all get a rough idea of the ability of the starting eleven;
Goalkeeper –
Right Back –
Left Back –
Centre backs –
Attacking Right –
Attacking Left –
Central Midfielders –
Strikers –
Right so that’s the team, the best possible players for the final, A pretty young squad minus Terry and Gerrard but they are top quality players who have a lot of experience between them racking up 220 caps between them.
World Cup Final – Spain vs. England
Venue – Maracana, Rio De Janerio
Attendance – 76,525
Starting line – up: Joe Hart, Martin Kelly, Phil Jones, John Terry, Jack Robinson, Jack Wilshere, Steven Gerrard, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor and Wayne Rooney.
According to “Radio Marca”
“I think this is a difficult one to call and it will definitely be close but I reckon Spain have what it takes to beat England today.”
Pre- Match team talk – For the Fans!
First half –
England put Spain under pressure within the first minute of the kick off, Agbonlahor slotted a through ball between the two Spanish defenders Arbeloa and Albiol for only Wayne Rooney to latch onto the ball, and he runs into the 18 yard box coming towards the by line of the pitch to swing in a cross which could be going towards either Ashley Young or Gabby Agbonlahor but Arbeloa managed to get back for a defence clearance.
With only 3 minutes on the clock England was back on the attack with it all started from the England eighteen yard box with a great tackle from Martin Kelly on Iniesta, a loose ball was in the middle of the park and such great tracking back from Wayne Rooney picks up the ball and starts making a move towards the Spanish goal, Rooney makes a 30 yard move towards goal and running into a brick wall of Pique and finds Gabby Agbonlahor who else was heading towards Pique but using his good friend Ashley Young running besides on the left played a small through ball so Ashley Young vs. Casillas and Young smashes it low and hard and completely misses an open goal a wasted chance for England.
11 minutes played now and England still pilling on the pressure, surely this will break the defence, Steven Gerrard slots through an inch perfect through ball between Pique and Albiol for Agbonlahor to latch on to the ball, Agbonlahor on the penalty spot about to unleash a shot Pique comes in with a perfect sliding tackle and manages to knock the ball away from Gabby but the ball travels at speed towards Casillas who makes a good save from a Pique clearance. Casillas couldn’t manage to collect the ball was on still on the floor as the ball came between the mix of one England player and two Spanish Players, A mix up between the defenders only meant one outcome a goal for England, but no Casillas makes an outstanding save from a power drive from a Rooney shot for only Xabi Alonso to pick up the pieces and make a clearance.
17 minutes into the game an injury, an injury to Spain’s play maker Iniesta has caused them to bring on an early unwanted sub, Jesus Navas makes his way onto the pitch.
23 minutes played of the game and a throwing from Martin Kelly who finds Wayne Rooney with pressure from Arbeloa, Rooney manages to find Theo Walcott who makes a clever back heel to Captain Steven Gerrard who makes a quick pass to his right to find Martin Kelly who goes for a one – two with Theo Walcott only for Kelly to make a pass to Steven Gerrard. Steven Gerrard makes a pass across the edge of the area to Jack Wilshere who edges forward trying to squeeze a shot towards the Spanish goal with no option but to play it back he picks up Steven Gerrard hanging on the edge of the area who leashes a first time shot at goal and it whistles past all players including Iker Casillas to find the bottom left of the net rustling. All I can say to that a great goal from a creative move let’s see more of this!
Spain 0 – 1 England
27 minutes in, Ashley Young picks up the ball in the middle of the park who was under intense pressure with Busquets not giving him anytime but Young managed to knock it past Busquets to find Gabby Agbonlahor completed unmarked in the middle of the two defenders, Spain must be using Zonal marking which is clearly not working at this moment in time. Agbonlahor advances forward with pace, with no options available apart from forward that’s where he heads but soon comes to and end with an option coming up on the left that man Ashley Young picking up the ball to only slot the ball through the defence of Spain to find Gabby Agbonlahor in acres of space who does this time take a shot at goal for only Casillas to parry the ball towards only a sea of red and white shirts. Alonso gets the better of Gerrard in the air and nobs it towards a throwing. Winger Ashley Young picks the ball up and looks for an option in the area but could not see an option instead slots it to Jack Wilshere who was lurking on the outside of the area who makes a busting run towards goal goes past one goes past two and goes past three to finally unleash a shot on the Spain goal but it only it to thunder of the cross bar with Casillas beat Wilshere has his heads in his hands. Theo Walcott and Arbeloa both attempted to lock on to the loose ball, Arbeloa gets to the ball first ahead of Theo with a diving header the ball could go anywhere from this and it must have been inches from going in to the back of the net with a risky defence clearance. (From my angle it looked inches from an own goal).
37 minutes into the game and Spain began their first attack (That I could watch) Fabregas makes a looping ball towards the England defence, looking easy for Phil Jones to just head clear the ball but completely misses the ball in air only for Pedro to latch on to the ball who casually takes the ball round Joe Hart to knock it into an empty net. A cheap goal for England to concede but total respect for Pedro who didn’t give up and applied great pressure.
Spain 1 – 1 England
Half time – Team talk – Pleased
Subs – John Terry makes way for Jack Rodwell
Match Stats –
Second half –
48 minutes into the second half, David Villa makes a unneeded tackle on young Phil Jones, only one result from this RED CARD for David Villa. No Subs from the Spanish bench which can only mean they have no strikers upfront and only two attacking wingers!
57 minutes on the clock Ashley Young picks up the ball on the left side of the pitch looking up to find Theo Walcott on the other side of the pitch on the right he picks the perfect pass to Theo who then starts to advance on the Spain goal with no red shirts in sight he keeps going he manages to get to the edge of the area before playing a ball into the eight yard box a low cross towards Ashley Young who manages to slot the ball home for England! What a play by England started by Young and finished by Young what more can you ask for your wingers!
Spain 1 – 2 England
59 minutes, two minutes after England score their second goal of the match Spain’s head coach has made a decision to bring of Cesc Fabergas and bring on young Bojan upfront. I am unsure of which formation they have chosen due to playing with 10 men.
72 minutes into the game and the game edging nearer to the end, Pique picking up the ball from Sergio Ramos plays an ambitious ball to Pedro which paid off as Pedro latches on to the ball with Pedro nearing the by-line and Phil Jones closing him down he makes a cross into the box, only for Jack Rodwell and Bojan making contest for the ball, unfortunately Jack Rodwell makes contact to the ball and slides it under Joe Hart. Jack Rodwell hangs his head in shame, as Bojan runs of in celebrating with team mates. Two cheap goals England have now conceded could this be the end of England?
Spain 2 – 2 England
73 minutes and England make their second change of the match; Gabby Agbonlahor makes way for Jermain Defoe. Steven Gerrard is tiring out and may just about make it to the end let’s hope he does!
78 minutes, only 12 minutes till the end of the game and Wilshere makes a crucial tackle on Bojan and with a loose ball Ashley Young once again picks up the ball on the left hand side and takes two touches and plays the ball ahead towards Jermain Defoe who is under pressure straight away from his first touch with a sliding tackle from Javi Garcia, with Defoe dodging the tackle and continues towards the Spanish goal on the left side of the pitch he manages to travel from the half way to edge of the 6 yard box an magnificent run from Defoe who then instead of taking a shot crosses the ball to the centre, with Casillas out of position and with three England players lining up to slot the ball home the England legend Wayne Rooney pounces on the chance and buries it into the net. All credit goes to the sub, Jermain Defoe!
Spain 2 – 3 England
80th minute and Spain on the attack Pedro to Bojan, Bojan manages to find Pique who looks like he is playing upfront! On the edge of the area Phil Jones makes a daft tackle on Pique, my heart beaten thinking he was the last minute surely we are down to 10 men and to make the tables even, but no Phil Jones only got a talking to by the ref a sigh of relive which giving by me the players and the fans! Sergio Busquets lines up the free kick but no worries for England, he hits it wide and England let of lightly!
86 minutes, 4 minutes left till the end of the game, Sergio Ramos who has already been booked earlier in the game, made a foolish tackle on Ashley Young. Ramos picks up a second yellow and two yellow means a red! I’ll put this down to frustration but as they say an early bath for Sergio Ramos.
93rd minute Final Whistle
Full time – Team talk – Congratulations
Match stats – Full time
Match report –
Spain 2 – 3 England (World Cup Final)
England took full advantage of their numerical advantage as they beat Spain 3-2 at Maracana.
Spain finished the game with nine men and was always likely to struggle to get anything out of the game.
England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard gave England the lead with a fierce effort from eighteen yards out which beat the goalkeeper before going in off the post in the 23rd minute. Winger Pedro then equalised for Spain in the 37 minute with a well-executed finish.
Cultured striker David Villa received his marching orders for a vicious foul on 48 minutes. Winger Ashley Young then put the away side in front after 58 minutes with a lucky strike.
Midfielder Jack Rodwell was left red-faced in the 72nd minute as he managed to put the ball into his own-net. Striker Wayne Rooney scored what proved to be the winner for the away side on 78 minutes with a close range finish which was timed impeccably.
Sergio Ramos was sent off in the 87th minute, the full back heading for an early bath after persistent fouling.
Here is the highlights of the World Cup Final between Spain and England;
Crosby has enters England hall of fame, Crosby has propelled himself up to 6th in the Hall of fame but could easily judging by his past could set even greater heights.
Finally the end of the World Cup and here are the awards that are given out;
“Best Player”
“Golden Boot”
“Best Young Player”
“Goal of the tournament”
“Best Goalkeeper”
“Dream Team”
Firstly the “Best player” award It was awarded to an Englishman called Wayne Rooney, Golden Boot was awarded to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who scored 6, Best young player of the tournament was awarded to Jack Robinson, Goal of the tournament was awarded to Arjen Robben who scored a long range curling shot. The best goalkeeper of the tournament was Iker Casillas and finally the dream team;
As you can see Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor and Wayne Rooney make it into the first team and Joe Hart, Jack Rodwell and Theo Walcott who all made the bench of the Dream Team.
Lastly, something that I don’t want to do but have to do I have to step down from England, I have been dreading this day since the start….
I highly dislike the word quit; I’d prefer the “Step down” but yes as you can see I am searching for my next challenge.
Okay okay, that’s the end of it for today! I apologise if I have made you fall asleep or click off the page but I hope you stayed and read the whole thing.
How did you find the layout of the match? Please tell me!
Leave your interesting and creative responsive in the comment section below.
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