Originally Posted by Eurostar:
“Based on what we saw of Spain in the opening two matches (two games, two defeats and 7 goals conceded), had that version of Spain shown up to face Germany last night and conceded early, I think Germany would easily have put five goals past them.
Nobody has explained yet either why NL have totally failed to replicate that blistering 45 minutes against Spain. If Germany's seven goals against Brazil was a "fluke", then surely NL's 5-1 was as well?”
I just think you're trying to turn football into some kind of exact science that can be measured from game to game. The Netherlands will never be able to replicate those 45 minutes again because it's impossible. All they can do is set up in the same way, using the same tactics and possibly the same personnel, and hope it works.
How come Messi didn't perform tonight ? If he was fully fit, it's a mystery, both to himself, his manager and the rest of the team. But that's what makes football (and other sports) so fascinating, there are usually no answers despite what all the pundits will have us believe.