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19 November 2007
Madrid – After all the trials and tribulations of Spain’s qualification route for next summer’s European Championships, the team coached by Luis Aragonés did so in style in Madrid’s Bernabéu stadium on Saturday, beating long-time Group F leader Sweden 3-0. Between two goals from corners, scored by defenders Joan Capdevila and Sergio Ramos, Spain’s five-man midfield created a 45-pass masterpiece for the second goal, finished by Andrés Iniesta.
After trying several different formations, fine wins over Denmark and Sweden suggest that Aragonés has finally hit on a winning formula, which makes best use of Spain’s talented crop of playmakers. He had a surprise announcement to make, though: “I’m like milk; I have a sell-by date,” the coach said to explain his decision to leave the post after the 2008 tournament.
[Copyright EL PAÍS, SL. / Jaume Bauzá Leira 2007]
Subject: Spanish news