For all practical purposes, this match is a dead rubber. Neither Spain nor Australia has any chances of qualifying to the second round. It is not new in world cups that defending champions crashing out in the group stage. What is not new is that the champions crashing out without scoring a single point. Spain could end up scripting that dubious record.

Australia-Spain Preview

A win may not heal Spain’s wounds caused by the previous two defeats. Still, it could offer at least a temporary relief. Spain’s famed tiki-taka style of play has been widely criticized. In fact, everything associated with the Spanish national team is coming under severe scrutiny: age and form of the players, lack of in-form goal scorers and fatigue from a long and hard-fought domestic and European league campaign.

The fact that they played against two excellent teams did not help either. Australia is not a low-hanging fruit. They have lost both their previous matches; however, they displayed a more spirited brand of soccer than Spain did.

Spain will not be the automatic favourites against Australia. On current form, it will not be far-fetched even to suggest that the Socceroos have an edge.

Players

Tim Cahill will not play because of the second yellow card he received in the match against the Netherlands. In his absence, Mathew Leckie and Ben Halloran will led the Australian charge against the error-prone Spanish defence. If they fail, the mercurial Adam Taggart will enter as a super sub.

Vicente Del Bosque, the much maligned Spanish coach, has a selection headache. Should he persist with the misfiring stalwarts, at least for offering them a final hurrah in the world cup stage, or should he bring in fresh blood to symbolize a new beginning?

Australia-Spain Prediction

Spain, having lost the burden of pressure, is likely to produce their best performance in World Cup 2014. They are likely to edge past the Socceroos in a potential thriller.

Spain 1.44 @ Bet365

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