Juan Mata

[Jase 43,479]

Was worried when Mata took that penalty earlier but thankfully, he scored. Another low penalty from him but certainly better than the ones he took in recent times.

[petr.breu 1,618]

Didn't think he'd score that penalty in all honesty!

Me too...

[iceboy 992]

Was worried when Mata took that penalty earlier but thankfully, he scored. Another low penalty from him but certainly better than the ones he took in recent times.

Didn't think he'd score that penalty in all honesty!

Me too.

[termninja 5,290]

Haha just came to say I though Buffon was going to save his penalty when I find 3 posts on it already

[DDA 9,570]

Everyone thought he was going to miss lol.

Just looking at the Bluemoon transfer section and they actually believed they where going to get Navas, Isco and yes wait for it MATA in this transfer window hahahahaha loool!

[themightyblue 443]

He ran the game when he came on

[Azpinator 2,325]

I think Spain became more dangerous after he came on, mostly in the 2nd half of ET. He played some great long passes and decent corners.

[zolayes 14,489]

A clever tactical move to bring him on late ,,,,was superb ..I was relieved he scored his penalty ,, Was Torres taken off in case it went

to penalties?????

[Zone 290]

A clever tactical move to bring him on late ,,,,was superb ..I was relieved he scored his penalty ,, Was Torres taken off in case it went

to penalties?????

Torres looked out of breath and kept leaning on his knees after the 80th minute. Piqué seemed injured too. That was probably the reason del bosque put Martinez in there, in case piqué had to walk off.

Mata's penalty was good but then again besides Bonucci, everyone had an amazing penalty today.

[iceboy 992]

Q. Don't you get tired of hearing the endless rumours about Mourinho wanting rid of you?
A. "In the end you have to rise above it and bear in mind that these things happen. You have to be prepared, but to be honest, I´m quite calm about it all. The club have always backed me, and they have told me that I´m an important player for them. That is what is important to me.

Mata for Marca.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Spain look so much better with Mata and Navas instead of Pedro and SIlva but Del Bosque insists on thetiki-taka nonsense.

[Fernando 6,388]

Totally shit!

Just like when we play against city and he goes missing.

And just like his Spanish team that are total shit when the opposing team is aggressive and press like crazy.

[Ollie 4,400]

Spain in general were shit. There's no way Mata is shit like what you've said in 2 posts now. Mata's a class act who's played over 80 games since August.

[yuvala 2,167]

Totally shit!

Just like when we play against city and he goes missing.

And just like his Spanish team that are total shit when the opposing team is aggressive and press like crazy.

They were all shit ...

To be honest even the "legendery" Xavi and Iniesta were quite bad. not to mention Pique, Arbeloa, Ramos......

Atleast Mata gave one great ball which was supposed to be an assist but David Luiz basicaly did a 'not today' save.

[Zinedine Iniesco 172]

Replying to Stingray from the page behind, i have seen documentaries about spain where the NT's physio team helped iniesta GREATLY for example when it comes to the mental aspect during the 2010 world cup.

About Mata, the lack of the 4-2-3-1 that del bosque has used all these years had its effect, along with fatigue. The brazilians came in with alot of energy and momentum, and i really think del bosque did a mistake not playing martinez @ midfield. Its been shown throughout the tournament, the problem at midfield.

According to toni grande, which is the 2nd coach to spain, they replaced fabregas with mata because they needed more directness and pace, and that almost worked out for them today.

[Styles 9,790]

He really struggled last night, only Arbeloa was worse. I really don't think he has much chance of being in the Spain team in the future. I can see him being part of the squad but not a starter.

[Blue Roar 240]

[Stingray 9,441]

Replying to Stingray from the page behind, i have seen documentaries about spain where the NT's physio team helped iniesta GREATLY for example when it comes to the mental aspect during the 2010 world cup.

That is possible. Everyone think they are specialists. I would leave psychology to psychologists and physiology to physiologists. My point is that the mental aspect is often underrated and can be dealth with 'by merely talking', giving advice. While profesionally good interventions use hard core evidence based protocols. Not just someone who 'thinks' he can do it and is actually specialized in physio.

That is still now - an underrated problem in football. eg: check Adriano.