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[monks data]
Attendance: 39,375
Australia national football team
World Cup | Group Stage
Jun 23, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
Spain national football team

0-3

FT(HT: 0-1)
Villa (36'), Torres (69'), Mata (82')

Player Ratings: Australia 0-3 Spain

Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed in Spain's 3-0 win over Australia in their final match of the 2014 World Cup.

Goals from David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata handed Spain a 3-0 win over Australia in their final Group B fixture of the 2014 World Cup.

Both sides entered the match having already been eliminated from the competition, but La Roja ended on a positive note against the Socceroos.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during the 90 minutes of action.


Australia pose for a team photo prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Australia and Spain at Arena da Baixada on June 23, 2014© Getty Images

AUSTRALIA

Goal

Matthew Ryan: Did not have too much to do, but was still forced to pick the ball out of his net on three separate occasions. Has looked a decent stopper this summer. (6/10)

Defence

Ryan McGowan: Strong in the tackle, especially in the first period, but was caught out defensively as the match progressed. (6/10)

Jason Davidson: Looks set to join Fulham this summer and further increased his reputation with a dependable display against the European and world champions. (6/10)

Matthew Spiranovic: Struggled to cope with the movement of Spain as the match advanced and was booked late on for a poor challenge on David Silva. (5/10)

Alex Wilkinson: Did his best to offer support in the final third, but struggled defensively against Juanfran, who set up Villa for Spain's first of the match. (5/10)

Midfield

Tommy Oar: Bright in spells, but failed to influence proceedings in the final third. Eventually forced to depart late on with an injury. (5/10)

Oliver Bozanic: Drafted into the XI for this match, but struggled to get the best of a solid and energetic Spain midfield. In truth, the game passed him by. (5/10)

Mile Jedinak: Has been a strong influence for his side this summer, but surprisingly lost out on the physical side this afternoon. Another that showed signs of tiredness late on. (6/10)

Matt McKay: Plenty of energy in the middle of the park, but disappointing in possession, with too many of his passes going astray, especially in the first period. (5/10)

Matthew Leckie: Alongside Tim Cahill, has arguably been Australia's best player this summer. However, struggled to make an impact against a stern Spain defence. (6/10)

Attack

Adam Taggart: Replaced Cahill in the XI, but could not take strong club form from last season into this match. Was subbed at the interval for Halloran. (5/10)

Substitutes

Ben Halloran: Replaced Taggart at the interval and certainly provided more of a threat in the final third. Arguably his side's best player in the second period. (6/10)

James Troisi: Entered with 30 minutes remaining and immediately made an impact. Whistled a few attempts wide of the post and was a busy presence in attack. (6/10)

Marc Bresciano: Experienced midfielder is expected to retire from international football this summer, but struggled to pick up the pace of the match after entering late in the second period. (5/10)


Spain pose for a team photo prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Australia and Spain at Arena da Baixada on June 23, 2014© Getty Images

SPAIN

Goal

Pepe Reina: Replaced Iker Casillas in the XI, but aside from collecting a couple of crosses, had absolutely nothing to do. (6/10)

Defence

Juanfran: Set up Villa for Spain's first of the match and was a constant threat in wide areas. Vicente del Bosque might rue not starting the tournament with the Atletico defender at right-back. (7/10)

Sergio Ramos: Had his slippers on for the majority of the match as he enjoyed a comfortable 90 minutes. Also whistled a late free kick just wide of the post. (7/10)

Raul Albiol: Another that had a chance to impress after missing out in the first two matches and the Napoli defender proved a dependable presence in the back four. (6/10)

Jordi Alba: Had little to do in defensive areas and therefore spent most of the match as a left-winger. Always available, but crossing could have been better. (6/10)

Midfield

Santi Cazorla: Struggled to make an impact after being drafted into the XI and was eventually replaced in the second period. (5/10)

Xabi Alonso: Much more like it from the Real Madrid midfielder, who really struggled against Chile. It was a composed and confident midfield display from Alonso. (6/10)

Koke: Again impressed for La Roja with an energetic performance in the middle of the park. Has a big role to play for his country in the tournaments ahead. (7/10)

Andres Iniesta: Class personified. Another mesmerizing performance from the Barcelona midfielder, who played a big part in both goals. Controlled the entire tempo of the match. (8/10)

Attack

David Villa: Capped what has been a sensational international career with his 58th goal for his country. Was, however, disappointed at Del Bosque's decision to replace him in the second period. (7/10)

Fernando Torres: Spent the majority of the match struggling to make an impact, but found the back of the net late on with a cool finish. (6/10)

Substitutes

Juan Mata: Brilliant cameo performance from the Manchester United attacker, who immediately picked up the pace of the match. Added Spain's third with a cool finish late on. (7/10)

Cesc Fabregas: Replaced Cazorla 20 minutes from time and set up Mata for Spain's third. (6/10)

David Silva: Showed some nice touches, but did not really have the time to make a telling impact after entering with little over five minutes remaining. (6/10)


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Spain's forward Fernando Torres celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during a Group B match between Australia and Spain at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

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Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

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Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

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Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

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Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

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Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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