Can Spain make it four major tournaments in a row? The defending World Cup champions will have a tremendously difficult task ahead as they take on the Dutch, Chile and Australia in Group B.
Spain's first match is a rematch of the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands and will provide the team with a massive test. Spain has won four, drawn one and lost four against the Dutch in their history. This is only the second World Cup match between the two sides. Spain then heads to the Maracana to take on Chile, a team that they have defeated eight times and drawn once. One of the wins came in the 2010 World Cup group stage, but the draw came a few months ago. In that game, Coach Vicente del Bosque opted for a B-team and fell behind 1-0 rather quickly. Chile dominated the midfield in that game and gave Spain little time to dictate the tempo. A late Jesus Navas goal earned Spain the draw, but it was clear that Chile was on to Spain and could cause greater issues on its home continent. The lone consolation for Spain is a game against Australia, a team it has never faced but one that should pose little problems. Australia is in disarray at the moment and will not be a favorite to do much in this tournament.
The Dutch enter this tournament in an equally difficult position as Spain. While they are not the defending champions, they are favorites to win it all and must prove that their woeful performance in the Euro Cup in 2012 is in the past. Surprisingly, the Dutch have never beaten Australia and have never played Chile. The former game should be of little difficulty for them while the second game against the South American contingent could be the one that decides the group. The team's greatest weakness is on the back end where it is filled with youth that have little experience on this stage. The offense is loaded, but a solid team like Spain or Chile may be able to break down the Dutch's young defenders and eliminate them.
Chile knows that the European sides are the favorites, but it can hold its own against Spain and has the crowd support to take down the potent Dutch. Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez, the big stars of this team, are having great season for their European clubs and should be vital in taking down the two titans.
Australia is probably excited to take on three of the top teams in the World and losing to them. The team has been disastrous since qualifying for the World Cup and it is clear that the talent for a deep run is not there. With 6-0 losses to France and Brazil, Australia should be trembling, which should make the other three sides excited.
Predictions: Spain gets through the group but only manages to pull off a win against Australia and Chile; expect a draw with the Dutch. The Dutch draw Spain, defeat Australia and marginally take down Chile. Chile wins up with three points while Australia gets blown out by each side. The group victor will be decided by goal differential; both Spain and Netherlands have potent offenses. Look for the World Champions to manage a slightly stronger win over Australia to get through as group leader.
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