INTERNATIONALS: MATA ASSISTS SPAIN TO VICTORY ========================================= Juan Mata played the full 90 minutes for Spain as they defeated Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in Malabo. The world and European champions were far from their fluent best against the side ranked 119th in the world, but goals from Santi Cazorla and Juanfran proved sufficient to see off the West Africans valiant efforts. Mata started on the left of a front three that also included the Manchester City duo of Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas, and our no.10 played a key role in the Spaniards opening goal. His looping cross 13 minutes into the game was inadequately dealt with by the Equatorial Guinea keeper and Arsenals Santi Cazorla was on hand to stab home the loose ball. The home side threatened an upset when Jimmy Bermudez headed home an equaliser past Pepe Reina but Atletico Madrids Juanfran restored La Rojas advantage before the interval, lashing the ball into the empty net after Navass cross was not cleared. An even second period saw chances for both sides at a premium, though Spain thought they had added a third through Fernando Llorente, only for the Juventus frontman to be harshly denied by an offside flag. Elsewhere, former Blues Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou booked their place at the World Cup in Brazil next summer as their Ivory Coast side drew 1-1 in Senegal. Leading 3-1 from the first leg, the Elephants trailed to Moussa Sows second-half penalty but Kalou, now at Lille, put the tie beyond doubt with a 94th minute equaliser. Read more at chelseafc/news-article/article/3539475/title/internationals-mata-assists-spain-to-victory
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 08:23:23 +0000
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