The World Cup qualifiers have come and gone and there is a great deal of implications from the March round of games, particularly in the UEFA. Here are a few.
Spain is Still a Super Power
For years, the Spanish dominated the soccer world with their explosive tiki-taka passing game. The team would dominate possession and force other teams into mistakes. In more recent years, teams have resorted to playing a conservative style in which they would figuratively "park the bus" in their own end and then prepare to counter off any Spanish mistake. The strategy has born some fruits of late with France tying Spain in the fall World Cup qualifiers while Finland pulled off a similar feat last Friday. The results caused a great deal of questions about Spain's supremacy, but the team responded with a tremendous effort against the French on Tuesday. Despite France's every effort, Spain looked in control throughout the match and eventually unlocked the French defense to take home a 1-0 lead. A year ago, many complained that Spain's trip through the Euro Cup did not feature a truly dominant side and that the majority of their victories had been tight affairs that could have gone either way. However, in each match the Spanish proved an intangible for knowing how to win and finding a way to do so no matter what. Despite some pitfalls this team still knows how to do that and remains the top team in the world.
The Netherlands Are Back
Last year, the Dutch imploded during the Euro 2012 with poor performances in the group stage. Many thought that the generation of players that had carried the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 2010 was finished and a rebuild would be needed. However, the team has maintained a great number of those World Cup pieces (Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben) and have put together six wins in six tries; they are the only team in the UEFA with a perfect qualifying record. They have won every match by a blowout and have scored 20 in six games; they have allowed just two in that span including four blank sheets. Look for this team to be a major force next year.
Mario Balotelli Is Going To Be a Major Part of Italy's Run Next Year
Super Mario scored two goals on Tuesday and continued to prove his worth on the national side. The youngster was traded to AC Milan after a tumultuous relationship with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, but his form for the national team is unrivaled. He broke out a year ago with a huge Euro 2012 tournament and looks primed for an equally impressive turn in Brazil next summer; he could also prove worthy at the Confederations Cup this summer.
Does Portugal Need Cristiano Ronaldo?
One goal in five matches. That is the contribution that Cristiano Ronaldo has provided for Portugal this qualifying round. He has some assists, but Ronaldo's superstar form from Madrid has once more failed to translate to the national side. The team looked like a wreck against Israel on Friday and despite a timely assist, he failed to provide the heroics his team needed. On Tuesday the Portuguese managed a comfortable 2-0 win over Azerbaijan without Ronaldo. He is still a valuable star, but he has yet to prove consistent play alongside his country.
Can Montenegro Win Group H?
Montenegro remains perched atop Group H despite drawing 1-1 with England. The team now has four wins and two draws in six qualifying matches and holds a two point lead over the Three Lions. Montenegro has a couple of huge games against Poland and Ukraine in upcoming qualifiers, but if the team is able to win one or both of those matches, they may have complete dominion of the group.
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