Five reasons why Spain can win the FIFA Confederations Cup

The world champions have played a huge part in elevating the status of the Confederations Cup this year as they have arrived here with a great deal of purpose. Del Bosque and La Roja look determined to add this last remaining trophy to their over-brimming cabinet of laurels. Their ambitions go further as Cesc Fabregas said in an interview ahead of the competition. He believes, and perhaps a great majority of football pundits do too, that this generation of footballers that Spain have produced deserve to win every trophy that is out there. They have already eased their way into the semi-finals without any glitches and are now two games away from winning the dress-rehearsal event.

Spain’s road to the semi-finals began with what was supposed to be the toughest game of the group against Uruguay. La Celeste were unable to compete for the ball against the skillful Spanish midfield and were starved of possession. The game ended 2-1 but it was hardly deserving of that narrow scoreline. The world champions then faced minnows Tahiti which was a virtual walkover that saw Spain’s strikers having some fun. Nigeria put up some resistance initially and kept the scoreline down to 1-0 at the hour mark but the mid-field patiently dismantled the Super Eagles. Andres Iniesta has been in top form for the world champions whereas Fernando Torres has scored the most number of goals in the tournament so far.

Here is a list of five reasons why Spain will win the Confederations Cup:

 

5. Limp semi-final

Italy have looked a shadow of their former self

Spain will face Italy, who are coming off a defeat against the Selecao, in the semi-finals. They look a shadow of the team that reached the  finals of Euro 2012 and even more so now with a number of injuries. Mario Balotelli and Ignazio Abate have been ruled out of the fixture already, whereas the engine of the team – Andrea Pirlo – remains a doubt for the clash. Any side that hopes to stop the Spanish juggernaut will have to put up an impenetrable defense, but the aging Italy side seem to lack both the morale and the personnel for it. Italy can only hope to salvage pride in such a situation and Spain are likely to progress to the final of the tournament.