Spain beat Nigeria 3-0

JUNE 24, 2013 BY PIUS AYINOR 

Nigeria’s Mikel Obi (left) is marked by Spain’s Sergio Busquets during their FIFA Confederations Cup match, at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza, Brazil on Sunday
| credits: AFP

Jordi Alba’s brace and Fernando Torres’ header saw Spain beat Nigeria 3-0 to top Group B into the semi-finals of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. In the other match of the group, Abel Hernandez scored half of the goals as Uruguay cruised to victory an 8-0 win over a hapless Tahiti team.

Spain expectedly took the game to Nigeria at kick-off and within three minutes Iniesta fed Alba, who beat a couple of weak tackles from four Nigerian defenders in a sweep before coolly finishing into the bottom corner afterwards. But soon after the goal, the Super Eagles gained confidence and the game became balanced. And with the turn of events they attacked the Spaniards time and time again but all works done from the back through the midfield ended with very poor finishing in their opponents’ box with Brown Ideye and Mohammed Gambo the major culprit. Gambo missed from close range with Valdes helpless in goal for Spain at the 74th minute. But despite the misses, Mikel Obi remained the leader, as with the previous matches, as he led and fell back to defend in a free role. Vincent Enyeama in goal proved he could be depended on any time Nigeria faced a major world power.

At the break, Spain had 54 per cent of the ball against Nigeria, completing 86 per cent of their passes. Shots on target for Nigeria were 13(3) and 23(9) for Spain. At the end of the game ball possession stood at 42 per cent for Nigeria and 65 per cent for the world and European champions in a reflection of the proceedings.

Hernandez’s goal for Uruguay which was scored after 1 min 19 seconds now stands as the fastest-ever at the Confederations Cup. He completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time and then scored his fourth of the game from the spot in the second half. Uruguay were first awarded a penalty after Tahiti’s Nicolas Vallar fouled Matias Aguirregaray. Gilbert Meriel saved  Aguirregaray’s penalty diving low to his left. His heroic was well applauded in spite of the heavy goal deficit against his country. Luis Suarez who came off the bench joined the goals-party, twisting and turning past a tired looking Henri Caroine and slotting in with his left foot.

Uruguay’s Andres Scotti became the first player to receive his marching orders in Brazil after two yellow cards.

Brazil will take on Uruguay in the semi-finals on Wednesday while Spain face Italy in a repeat of last year’s Euro final match on Thursday.