How Terrifying Is a Complete Spain?
After Brazil's opening match, it was Spain's turn the next day. Unlike Brazil's schedule, Spain faced their toughest group opponent, Uruguay, in their first match.
The two teams had played a friendly match a few months prior, where Spain won 3-1. Historically, Spain had 5 wins and 5 draws against Uruguay, maintaining an unbeaten record. This led many to favor Spain before the match.
However, Uruguayans felt differently. Before the game, some of Uruguay's top strikers expressed their determination to break their losing streak against Spain in interviews.
Cavani said, "Spain is strong, but I've found a way to break through their defense. We will end Spain's 22-game unbeaten streak in this match!"
Since losing to England in November 2011, Spain had been unbeaten in 22 official matches, showcasing their dominance in recent years.
Suárez added, "Spain's defenders can't stop me and my teammates. We will win this game!"
Despite his biting incident on the field, no one could deny Suárez's threat in the penalty area. Given a chance, he could change the score.
With such bold claims from their opponents, Spain's stars weren't about to back down. Piqué was the first to respond:
"Heh, Suárez says he can break through our defense? Is he planning to use his teeth?"
This was a jab at Suárez's biting incident two months earlier in the Premier League, which led to a 10-match ban from the FA, causing him to miss the rest of Liverpool's matches.
Piqué's comment hit its mark, enraging Suárez, who then warned Piqué to watch out on the field. Piqué wasn't intimidated and lodged a complaint with the tournament committee, claiming his safety was threatened. The committee had to intervene, promising severe penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct.
With the committee's warning, Suárez calmed down. The verbal battles between players drew a lot of fan attention, and this highly anticipated match attracted a large crowd. Among the fans, half supported each team, and the remaining were Brazilian fans.
For Brazilian fans, this match was purely for entertainment. They wouldn't support their rival Uruguay, nor would they cheer for Spain, whom they saw as their main competition in the Confederations Cup.
However, there was an exception: the Chinese fans living in Brazil. Many Chinese fans came to watch the game, eager to see Lin, the Chinese star, in action.
"Lin, over here!"
During the pre-match warm-up, Lin heard cheers from the stands. Hearing familiar Chinese, Lin felt a bit disoriented. Seeing the fans calling his name, he smiled and waved at them, acknowledging their presence. This gesture thrilled the fans.
"Wow, Lin acknowledged us!"
"No way, he was looking at me!"
"Stop arguing, let's get his autograph!"
The Chinese fans then called out in unison, "Lin, we're your fans! Can we get an autograph?"
Amid the general noise of the stadium, their organized call was clear to Lin. His teammates noticed too.
"Lin, are those your fans?" Morata asked enviously. "Why doesn't anyone cheer for me? I'm also a national team and Real Madrid star!"
"Seems like it. I'll go over for a bit," Lin replied. Picking up a soccer ball, he borrowed a pen from a staff member and signed the ball. "Thanks for coming to support me. This ball is for you!" He handed the ball to the fans and signed a few autographs before returning to training.
The fans were ecstatic, unable to believe they got Lin's autograph. "Did Lin just speak Mandarin?" one asked.
"Yes, perfect Mandarin," confirmed a Chinese tourist.
"It's a pity Lin already plays for Spain. It would be amazing if he played for our national team!"
"Forget it. You know how bad our national team is. It would ruin him!"
"Exactly, even a few superstars wouldn't fix our team!"
Lin didn't hear this discussion. Back on the field, he focused on training. However, he noticed someone watching him—a Uruguayan player with a headband and thick hair. Recognizing him as Diego Forlán, Lin saw Forlán smile and look away. Forlán, once a top scorer at Atlético Madrid, seemed to see his younger self in Lin.
If only I were that young again, thought Forlán, now 34 and nearing the end of his career. Forced out of Inter Milan, he returned to play in the Brazilian league. This Confederations Cup was likely his last chance to play for his country.
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After warming up, the teams returned to their locker rooms to prepare for the match. Del Bosque emphasized Spain's tactics, focusing on their game plan. Uruguay's coach, however, stressed the importance of marking Spain's number 30—Lin. "You saw his strength last time. He was involved in all three goals. Mark him tightly and give him no chances. Understood?"
"Understood, coach!"
"Good, now let's go!"
Standing at the door, the coach high-fived each player, watching them head to the field like warriors. For Uruguay, this was their first Confederations Cup appearance in 16 years, and they hoped for a good result, at least not losing the first match.
But facing a strong opponent, they weren't overly confident. Thus, the entire team was tense and ready, bringing their best to the game. In contrast, Spain's players were relaxed, especially the Barcelona contingent, who joked and laughed, showing no signs of tension.
This calm demeanor felt like an insult to Uruguay's players. We're a strong team, the most Copa América titles in South America! How dare you disregard us?
Infuriated, Uruguay attacked Spain immediately after kick-off. Their fans were thrilled to see such aggression, cheering loudly.
"They're so aggressive now. What will they do when they're tired in the second half?"
"Heh, trying to take the ball from Spain? They picked the wrong strategy!"
Spain's fans remained calm. They had seen this many times before and were unfazed. Spain responded to Uruguay's pressing by increasing their passing frequency. The ball rarely stayed with any player for more than two seconds, rendering Uruguay's pressing ineffective.
Trying to intercept the ball from Spain's players with just a few attackers wasn't enough. They needed more players to press effectively. But doing so would leave them vulnerable to Spain's formidable attack.
Within five minutes, Uruguay's aggression waned. "What are they doing? They should either press together or not at all. They're wasting energy," remarked Brazil's national team players watching from the stands.
"Maybe they lost confidence after losing to Spain before?" suggested Marcelo, Real Madrid's left-back, who knew Barcelona's strength well.
Spain's team was built around Barcelona's core, with an even stronger front line. Previously lacking a finisher, they now had Lin, a winger as skilled as Messi, completing Spain's lineup. Only teams that had faced them knew how strong they were.
Uruguay had this experience. "Their defense is average, but their attack is strong. They should focus on their strengths," said Thiago Silva, considered the world's best defender, wary of Uruguay's strikers.
"Retreating before the fight, Uruguay will likely lose this match," concluded Brazil's players.
"Uruguay's paper strength is weaker, but even if they lose, they might expose some of Spain's weaknesses, which could help us," added Barcelona's defender Alves, familiar with Spain's style. His insight prompted his teammates to watch quietly.
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With Uruguay no longer pressing, Spain's attack began to show. In the 5th minute, Lin switched positions with Pedro. Pedro set a pick, blocking a defender and giving Lin space to start and break through. Seizing the opportunity, Lin quickly dribbled into the penalty area, attracting two defenders before crossing the ball.
His low, fast cross was close to the goal. Any touch could have turned it into a goal. Unfortunately, David Silva's sliding shot missed, sending the ball just past the goal, giving Uruguay a scare.
Silva, missing the chance, gave Lin a thumbs-up, acknowledging the great pass. His short stature limited him, otherwise, it could have been a goal.
Despite missing this chance, Spain's attack continued. In the 10th minute, Alba's low cross found Fàbregas, who shot from 16 meters. The ball curved past the goalkeeper but hit the left post.
Spain missed two great chances within five minutes, but their attack wasn't over. Iniesta's follow-up shot hit the goalkeeper's face, knocking him out. Uruguay's keeper instinctively tried to dodge but couldn't avoid the fast ball, getting hit in the face.
The good news was the ball didn't go in. The bad news was the keeper seemed concussed. Thus, after just ten minutes, Uruguay had to make a forced substitution, bringing on backup keeper Juan Castillo for the injured Muslera.
This substitution proved disastrous. Without time to warm up, the backup keeper conceded a goal within a minute. In the 11th minute, Iniesta and Lin's quick passes tore through Uruguay's defense. The defenders were drawn to them, leaving a huge gap on the other side.
Seeing the opportunity, Iniesta passed to the unmarked Fàbregas on the right. Fàbregas's powerful shot was parried by the keeper, but Lin swiftly followed up, scoring from close range. Spain took a dream start, leading 1-0.