Pirlo the peerless, Spain sublime
THE DAY REPLAYED – The history of the beautiful game is made up by the efforts of some fine footballers, many of who we have had the privilege of gracing the Maracana. And on the day that Andrea Pirlo won his 100th cap for Gli Azzurri at the famous Brazilian stadium, he scored his side’s opening goal with a superb free-kick. But it wasn’t just about the goal. Pirlo made the art of passing look easy and prompted his side’s attacks from his deep-lying midfield position, winning the Man of the Match Award from admiring football fans around the globe.
In the day’s second game on the second day of the tournament, Spain gave a lesson in how to pass, move and create chances as they maintained their unbeaten record against Uruguay. In truth, it was difficult for the 2011 Copa America winners to get near them. It was always going to take something special to end the world champions’ run of five matches without conceding at a major tournament and Luis Suarez’s fantastic curling free-kick from distance was just that. |