Player Ratings: Spain 5-0 Belgium
Sunday, September 6, 2009 @ 3:13 PM
SPAIN (4-4-2)
Casillas: 7.5 - Only had two real saves to make but looked confident. Occasional communication problems on corners were easily overcome.
Arbeloa: 7 - Tried to get forward to decent effect but in truth had little impact on the game at either end until his assist. Still, praise to him for that.
Puyol: 8 - Picked up a silly booking but was otherwise solid. A vice-captain's performance if ever there was one as only once were Spain in any danger of conceding.
Pique: 9 - Absolutely imperious at the back, and found the net, too. A near-tie for man of the match with Silva.
Capdevila: 7 - Another solid, unspectacular showing for the Villarreal stalwart, who did what he had to do.
Xavi: 8 - A delicious through ball to get the night started, Xavi can always be counted upon to be creative.
Busquets: 7 - A difficult evening for the Barcelona youngster, who's had better games in the red shirt. Bullied a little too easily at times, but he was still integral in holding possession.
Xabi Alonso: 6.5 - Played an unglamourous game and took a while to get started, but when he did he had a useful pass on him. Gave the ball away a little too easily at times.
Silva: 9 - Took his first goal absolutely brilliantly after a fine, energetic beginning to the game. His second? Even better. A wonderful performance even aside from those strikes.
Villa: 8.5 - Not himself in front of goal early on, but by drawing the defenders onto him he set up the opener nicely. Then the real Villa made himself known.
Fernando Torres: 7 - Tested the 'keeper well but will be disappointed to not have found the net.
Subs
Riera: 6 - Didn't truly assert himself but was available for the pass.
Cesc: 7
Albiol: 6
Source: goal.com