Spain v Finland
Spain (1) v Finland (8)
Paul Macklesworth
We are now moving into the last eight matches and the teams will now have one eye on the knockout phase of the Homeless World Cup. This was no doubt the case as the Austrian official started this afternoon's proceedings as Spain entertained Finland.
The first have started with Spain stroking the ball around the pitch, much to the delight of their numerous supporters in the stands. Both goalkeepers were tested with early long range efforts, but it was a neat long ball and a cool finish from Finland's number 9 that opened the scoring. The singing and shouting of the Spanish supporters urged their team on and they were rewarded with an equaliser from Spain's Yunior. As the first half progressed, it was all Spain, but poor finishing prevented them from taking the lead. However, as the half drew on, the Finnish team grew in confidence, and only a good save from the Spanish keeper kept out Finland's number 10.
Finnish pressed was starting to pay off as their number 9 rattled the crossbar, but the ball bounced out. The Finnish did have the lead again shortly afterwards as number 8 struck from long range. Just before half time, patient Finnish build up lead to another first half goal for their number 9. The best goal of the half was taken by Finland's number 7, who placed a well struck shot into the bottom of the Spanish net. So the teams changed ends at half time with the Spaniards trailing the Flying Finns by 4 goals to 1.
The second half started with two changes from both sides and the same enthusiastic support from the Spanish crowd. Would they enspire their team to a second half revival?It appeared not as the Finnish team continued to play the passing team, pushing the Spaniards into their own half. A combination of poor Spanish defending and clinical passing from the Finns brought an early second half score. Finland were more than happy to make the Spanish chase the ball, and another well worked move lead to Finland's number 9's hat-trick. The Finns were awarded a penalty as the Spanish goalkeeper was caught in possession outside the "D", but Finland's number 6 was judged to have taken too long over his penalty, so the Austrian referee disallowed the goal. This did not matter as the Finnish team made possession pay as they struck another three quick goals. The eighth goal sparked a Spanish revival as Yunior showed some fancy footwork in midfield, but was denied twice by the Finnish keeper. At the other end, two brilliant saves from the Spanish keeper from Finland's number 6 kept the score in single figure.
Final Score here in Copenhagen, Finland 8 Spain 1