Johannesburg – When Spain walk out at FNB Stadium to face Bafana Bafana on November 19, for many the glorious memories of July 11, 2010 will surely come flooding back.
It was here, just outside Soweto, that La Roja cast aside their tag of World Cup under-achievers and confirmed their status as the best in the game, courtesy of Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time strike against the Netherlands.
Still in charge of the senior national team, Vicente del Bosque brings a strong Spanish squad back to South Africa next weekend, with 15 of his 23-man entourage part of the squad that competed in the World Cup in 2010.
Seven of those – Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Iniesta, Pedro Rodriguez and David Villa – started the World Cup final against Holland, while another two – Jesus Navas and Cesc Fabregas – came off the bench.
Since the 2010 final, Spain have been busy maintaining their position at the top of the game, winning a second straight European Championship last year and qualifying comfortably for the World Cup finals in Brazil next year.
A blip like the 3-0 Confederations Cup final humbling at the hands of Brazil earlier this year will matter not a jot if Spain defend their world crown.
It is a shame for Bafana Bafana that they will not be in Brazil to even attempt to challenge La Roja, South Africa still struggling to be a force on the African continent, let alone on the world stage.
As such, high prestige friendlies such as this, and a prospective clash with Brazil in March, will have to make do to whet the national team supporters’ appetite.
It will be fascinating to see how Bafana cope against a Spanish side made up of some of the world’s best footballers, who have made an artwork of possession football at international level over the last few years.
Outside of familiar names like Iniesta, Fabregas and Villa, undoubtedly the most interesting call-up to this Spanish squad is Atletico Madrid’s 25-year-old striker Diego Costa.
Costa was born in Brazil and played in friendlies for the Selecao earlier this year against Italy and Russia.
Having played most of his club football in Spain, however, Costa has been granted Spanish nationality and has now decided he wishes to play for La Roja – Costa is allowed to switch teams by Fifa because the games he played for Brazil were friendlies.
This has led to public criticism of the player by Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari, but Brazil’s loss is likely to be Spain’s gain.
Costa has been in scintillating form for high-flying Atletico this season with 16 goals in 16 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side.
He is tied atop the La Liga scoring charts alongside Cristiano Ronaldo with 13 goals.
Costa could well make his Spain debut in their friendly against Equatorial Guinea in Malabo on November 16, three days before the Bafana match.
Either way, it will be fascinating to see how he fits into Del Bosque’s plans ahead of the World Cup.
Saturday Star