Group H (Spain, Chile, Honduras, Switzerland)

[Mattshark]

**** that.

Why not? He is a good manager.

[Kenneth]

Alonso was ace. What a passer he is, different class. And the smash against the bar.

[shelly]

Alonso was ace. What a passer he is, different class. And the smash against the bar.

I really miss him

Villa, although to be fair he was pretty isolated, looked like he didn't want the responsibility of leading the line at all!

[Trippendicular]

With a team like that, Spain should be winning every game. They barely looked arsed for about an hour against the Swiss, even though it was obvious their slow, possession-heavy play wasn't effective at all. As others have said, it's the insistence on redundant defensive midfielders that's ruining games, Switzerland didn't leave their 18 yard box in the first half, yet there was Alonso, Busquets and Xabi all within a couple of metres of each other tapping the ball around.

[BrooklynRed]

No team that has lost their first match has ever gone on to win the World Cup and only 8% get to the knock out stages. Time to buy some diapers in Madird, Spain just **** themselves.

[Mostar]

Time to change those record books. My money is still on them going all the way.

[peekay]

Why not? He is a good manager.

Good is an understatement. He is a modern day managerial great.

The swiss rearguard action reminded me of us against Juve away in the run to Istanbul.

[ronanm]

Alonso was ace. What a passer he is, different class. And the smash against the bar.

Brilliant. I usually watch games and, if a I see a talented player, think "would love if he was at Liverpool." Unfortunately he has been and gone He oozed class yesterday (despite a wayward pass that nearly caused a second Swiss goal). Didn't think he was as good as people thought when he was at Liverpool. Wrong again

[dww]

Spain were let down a bit by waiting too long to implement a plan B. With Navas and Torres on they created a lot more opportunities I thought. The problem was that Torres was nowhere near sharp enough. Not sure who else is in the squad as strikers but anyone willing to hang around in the box would have helped them.

The plan A of passing a team into submission is good but if you have no one in the box then you make it easier on the opposition. The Swiss were disciplined and hard working but nothing more. Spain simply aren't as good as some make out - that is twice (the other being the Americans) that they have suffered in exactly the same way on South African soil. Lessons should have been learned and weren't.

I think the criticism of the referees is wide of the mark. If anything they are giving more protection to the flair players than in the past.

[SB]

Do any of you guys know anything about this guy :Alexis Sanchez (Udinese).

I've heard he is a very good player and one to watch.

Not sure if anyone has replied to you but he played well against Honduras

[Shaggy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10340039.stm

The TV reporter girlfriend of Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas demanded he explain a blunder which lost them their match against Switzerland, live on TV.

The stunned shot-stopper walked off when his girlfriend asked him after the game: "How did you muck that up?"

Spanish fans have reacted angrily saying reporter Sara Carbonero, once voted the world's sexiest journalist, distracted him during the game.

In their opening game of the tournament Switzerland beat Spain 1-0.

After the post-match interview, Spanish football websites erupted in indignation, blaming 25-year-old Carbonero for "sapping his strength".

The wives and girlfriends of Spanish players, known as esposas y novias, are barred from accompanying them to the tournament.

Before the World Cup, when it was announced Carbonero would be in South Africa doing her trademark post-match interviews, she dismissed claims she would be disruptive, saying: "Can I destabilise the team? I think it's nonsense".

Swiss midfielder Gelson Fernandes bundled the ball into Spain's goal in the 52rd minute of the game.

Casillas had rushed out to tackle an incoming Swiss forward, but failed to grab the ball, which fell luckily for Fernandes.

"I don't know what to say," said Casillas in the post-match interview.

"I don't know if this defeat will have consequences. The dressing room is fed-up."

Carbonero, who was voted Sexiest Reporter in the World by FHM USA last year, has been dating the Real Madrid goalkeeper since 2009.

Before their opening match, Spain were rated as co-favourites to win the tournament alongside Brazil.

[Reece]

I think the only solution here is to put Reina in goal.

[JohnDoe]

I think the only solution here is to put Reina up front.

[Harv]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10340039.stm

I'd finger her for sure

[Pablo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10340039.stm

Swiss midfielder Gelson Fernandes bundled the ball into Spain's goal in the 52rd minute of the game.

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