Confederations Cup Group A Results and Highlights: Spain and South Africa go Through
South Africa knew going into today that they didn’t need to score against Spain to advance to the next round of the Confederations Cup, and they didn’t. They didn’t even manage a single shot on goal. It didn’t matter.
What they did need was for Iraq not to score against New Zealand, and Iraq came through with a vengeance. Final score in their match with New Zealand: 0-0.
And Spain and South Africa go through form Group A.
Before the tournament I predicted a +8 goal differential for Spain in the group stages based on the weak competition. I wish I’d put money on it, because that’s exactly what they got. Eight goals for, zero against. I’ll be very curious to see whether the stronger competition from Group B will put up more of a fight.
On an interesting note, today’s games were firsts for both Spain and New Zealand. Spain sets the record for most consecutive games ever won by a national team with 15, and New Zealand gets its first point ever in an international tournament.
Proving yet again that success is all a matter of perspective.
Be sure to tune in tomorrow for our liveblogs of the Group B matches, Egypt vs USA and Italy vs. Brazil.
Spain-South Africa Highlights:
Iraq-New Zealand Highlights:
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Comments
By Weston | June 20th, 2009 at 7:37 pm 
i thought SA got about 1&1/2 shots, i remember some.
Posted from 
United States
By Laurie | June 20th, 2009 at 7:49 pm Shots or shots on goal? I was watching the other game so I’m just going by what I read elsewhere. If you can find stats that say otherwise, I’ll be happy to change it.
Posted from United States
By Weston | June 20th, 2009 at 8:33 pm i didnt watch the game at all, but i saw these highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/videos/player.html#ch=cc09hl&id=1074495
1:45 is the shot, 1:18 is the 1/2, lol. did villa get a card for butchering the corner flag?
Posted from United States
By Brain Roc | June 20th, 2009 at 8:44 pm I was also watching as our boys where playing and well that is football. I’m not sad about how they played nether the result. Well when I eat rice I don’t feel as strong as I will eat pap cause that is what I used to and is my stable food so the point is we not used to Westen type of soccer and well most will agree with me in that cause in a game with New Zeland we played we played well why? That was disky our kind of soccer. Yes we have to learn other kinds like the the coach well is well doing his job, but before he can do that can he start learn how and what makes our boys strong? I also believe that we need a psychological training for our boys as they don’t make good deccisions on when and how to make a goal. For our boys bafana’s soccer is about fun of it keep our spirits hight by making us proud as we proud of you.
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