WORLD CUP
Durban Stadium, Durban, South Africa
Referee: Howard Webb | Attendance: 62453
* Local time based on your geographic location.
Watch Live on: ESPN, ESPN3.com, MobileTV, ESPN 3D
COMPLETE TEAM
CLOSE X
Goal
Shot
Video
Goal
Shot
Video
Shots (on goal)
tackles
Fouls
possession
Spain
-
63%
37%
Switzerland
Spain
| Line-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| POS | No | Name |
G |
1 | Iker Casillas |
D |
3 | Gerard Piqué |
D |
5 | Carles Puyol |
D |
11 | Joan Capdevila |
D |
15 | Sergio Ramos |
M |
8 | Xavi |
M |
14 | Xabi Alonso |
M |
16 | Sergio Busquets |
| F | 9 | Fernando Torres |
F |
6 | Andrés Iniesta |
| F | 18 | Pedro |
F |
7 | David Villa |
F |
21 | David Silva |
| M | 22 | Jesús Navas |
| Substitutes | ||
| POS | No | Name |
| G | 23 | Pepe Reina |
| G | 12 | Victor Valdés |
| D | 2 | Raúl Albiol |
| D | 4 | Carlos Marchena |
| D | 17 | Álvaro Arbeloa |
| M | 10 | Cesc Fábregas |
| M | 13 | Juan Mata |
| M | 20 | Javi Martínez |
| M | 22 | Jesús Navas |
| F | 9 | Fernando Torres |
| F | 18 | Pedro |
| F | 19 | Fernando Llorente |
Switzerland
| Line-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| POS | No | Name |
G |
1 | Diego Benaglio |
D |
2 | Stephan Lichtsteiner |
D |
4 | Philippe Senderos |
| D | 5 | Steve von Bergen |
D |
13 | Stéphane Grichting |
D |
17 | Reto Ziegler |
M |
6 | Benjamin Huggel |
M |
7 | Tranquillo Barnetta |
| D | 22 | Mario Eggimann |
M |
8 | Gökhan Inler |
M |
16 | Gelson Fernandes |
F |
10 | Blaise N'Kufo |
F |
19 | Eren Derdiyok |
| M | 15 | Hakan Yakin |
| Substitutes | ||
| POS | No | Name |
| G | 12 | Marco Wölfli |
| G | 21 | Johnny Leoni |
| D | 3 | Ludovic Magnin |
| D | 5 | Steve von Bergen |
| D | 22 | Mario Eggimann |
| M | 11 | Valon Behrami |
| M | 14 | Marco Padalino |
| M | 15 | Hakan Yakin |
| M | 20 | Pirmin Schwegler |
| M | 23 | Xherdan Shaqiri |
| F | 9 | Alexander Frei |
| F | 18 | Albert Bunjaku |
Match Stats
- Spain
- Switzerland
| 24(8) | Shots (on goal) | 8(3) |
| 8 | Fouls | 21 |
| 12 | Corner kicks | 3 |
| 2 | Offsides | 1 |
| 63% | Time of Possession | 37% |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 4 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 1 | Saves | 7 |
Chris Jones: See you next time everybody. Now get back to work... For two and a half hours at least.
Chris Jones: ... and to watch Spain choke.
Chris Jones: And Vince captures the spirit of the World Cup... Every four years, we come together to celebrate the beautiful game...
[Comment from Vince]
Chile fan to Swiss fan: "Did we just become best friends?"
Chris Jones: Me neither Andy. I need to go get a drink. Leander has passed out in the corner. Thanks very much for joining us today. Hope you guys had some fun.
[Comment from Andy]
Wow, just wow. Who thought this was going to play out this way? Not me...
[Comment from Antonios]
Shout out to my Dad for calling a 1-0 switz win. I will walk home in shame today.
[Comment from no hope]
*crying*
[Comment from Andrew]
Chocolate and watches for everyone!
Chris Jones: Chile-Switzerland now a huge game.
Chris Jones: Terrible day for Spanish fans. Chile's win and Spain's loss the worst possible combination for their chances of advancing.
[Comment from Stunned soccer fan]
Swiss Shocker
[Comment from Jamal]
The swiss have pulled of the biggest upset in the 2010 world cup to date!!
[Comment from Daruda]
Help me out here, how do you you say CHOKE in Spanish?
[Comment from Trevor]
What an Upset. Biggest one so far!
Chris Jones: Hitzfeld wins in his World Cup debut as coach...
Chris Jones: And they do it! SWISS WIN! 1-0!
Chris Jones: Switzerland has never beaten Spain... in 18 international meetings.
Chris Jones: Xavi shot is wide...
Chris Jones: Corner kick for Spain.
Chris Jones: Swiss clear it again.
Chris Jones: 30 second remains
Chris Jones: Blocked by the defense!
Chris Jones: Alonso lines up...
Chris Jones: Handball to Yakin and a yellow card. Free kick for Spain.
Chris Jones: Spanish throw in... Two minutes left.
Chris Jones: Punched away by Benaglio -- who has played very well.
Chris Jones: Free kick to Spain outside the 18.
Chris Jones: Pedro cross headed away by Swiss.
Chris Jones: Now a Swiss sub -- Barnetta off for Mario Eggimann
Chris Jones: Can't blame him.
Chris Jones: Yellow card to Benaglio for time wasting.
[Comment from Zack]
FIVE MINUTES!!!!! I think someone up there wants Espana to win.
[Comment from Jake]
Good lord. Might as well be an eternity.
[Comment from Kirsten]
Definitely a conspiracy.
Chris Jones: Goal kick for the Swiss.
Chris Jones: Conspiracy theory anyone?
Chris Jones: Five minutes of stppage time. OF course.
Chris Jones: Swiss are bundled at the top of their box.
Chris Jones: Spain just can't finish.
Chris Jones: Navas cross cleared.
Chris Jones: Spanish throw deep in Swiss territory.
Chris Jones: Ball off his knee and out for a goal kick. Initial touch woeful.
Chris Jones: Torres had a break there and botched it!
Chris Jones: Torres wide open. Why didn't he pass that ball?
Chris Jones: And now Torres send another shot high and wide.
Chris Jones: Navas puts the ball into the box but taken by Benaglio.
ESPN Stats and Info: Spain has created more chances on goal (16) without scoring than any other team in the World Cup.
Chris Jones: Torres just misses a header from David Villa.
Chris Jones: Spain mounting another attack.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Falls to Ramos, but he doesn't get a chance to play it.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Long free kick for Alonso.
Chris Jones: Eight Swiss in the box.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Deep throw-in to Spain.
Chris Jones: Seven minutes left.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Barnetta almost got it off in the 6-yard box. Spain broke away.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Inler played a promising cross in, but Puyol cleared it.
[Comment from Josh]
Please don't! You are my direct connection to what's going on!
Chris Jones: Fernandes wanted that ball badly. He was pretty open. You know, why mark the scorer?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A long shot by Barnetto goes just inches over.
Chris Jones: You guys can just do this yourselves. I'm going to watch the game.
[Comment from Brian]
...and feel like 11 hours to the Swiss.
[Comment from Josh]
The 11 min. will feel like 11 seconds to the Spaniards!
[Comment from Robert]
GADawg: You think they have it long? Imagine how long it'll feel for their FANS.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A Navas cross finds only a Swiss boot.
[Comment from GADawg]
The Swiss have a long 11 minutes ahead of them
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Hakan Yakin comes on for Eren Derdiyok for Switzerland.
Chris Jones: That didn't miss by much -- inches wide to the left. They have to score.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Jesus Navas takes a diagonal shot from 20 yards and it lacks just inches in spin to hobble in by the second post. As it is, it goes wide.
Chris Jones: Yeah, looks like he might have been injured there. A tweak, at least.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: He could be hurt.... again.
Chris Jones: Iniesta out for Pedro.
[Comment from Brandon]
What an upset if the Swiss hold on....
[Comment from brainyspainy]
this is absolutely shocking
Chris Jones: Can't believe the Swiss are a post away from being up 2-0.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Iniesta takes a kicking by the other box. Evidently he's run out of calls in his favor.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spain at the other end just can't get it in there.
Chris Jones: We're in for an incredible finish. 15 minutes left.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Derdiyok cut past several men and played it into the short corner, off the post.
Chris Jones: Spain almost buried there.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Switzerland off the post!!!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Pique almost beats the goalkeeper on a short shot, but he was offsides. Benaglio had it anyway.
Chris Jones: Yellow card for Ziegler of the Swiss -- tug of the jersey.
Chris Jones: Torres is playing like the proverbial man possessed.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Navas get into the box through traffic and got the shot off, but it hobbled harmlessly to Benaglio.
Chris Jones: That Xabi shot was a laser from outside the box. One-timer. Deserved better.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: By about a toenail.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Replay shows that Torres had been slightly offsides.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The corner had been sent over the ground to Xabi Alonso at the edge of the area.
Chris Jones: I'd be very surprised if Spain doesn't score at least one before the whistle. They're just putting on so much pressure and there's still twenty minutes left.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Torres had won a corner trying to fancily tap it in inside the 6-yard box.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Xabi off the bar!!!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: FIFA has it as 16 shots to Spain.
[Comment from amazed]
spain 15 shots vs 2 by the swiss, yet 1-0 swiss...unbelievable
[Comment from Neal from NY]
I can't see the Swiss penalty area anymore because of all of Spain's shots-on-goal.
Chris Jones: Torres gacking on that one a little. That looked like a very good chance before he got wrapped up.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Torres gets into space, the ball is blocked a little, he still gets a shot off out of the turn but it's high and wide.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: You know something, that isn't an entirely bad call. I was impressed by them last night.
[Comment from Darius for Life!]
I have North Korea as my sleeper....
Chris Jones: Steve: Totally literal since 1984.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Can you prove that?
[Comment from Steve]
Martin: Isn't "E" for Effort, and "F" for Finish?
[Comment from PeteyExpensive]
I got Switzerland as my sleeper
[Comment from bob]
spain is still going to win for sure
[Comment from Martin]
Spain: A for effort F for finish
ESPN Stats and Info: Spain has 30 touches in the attacking penalty area, while Switzerland has only 5.
Chris Jones: That was a golden opportunity. Didn't miss by much. Torres -- with a fresh haircut -- having a pretty immediate impact.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: After almost getting a penalty, Iniesta curls a shot just wide of the far post from 17 yards.
[Comment from Chuck Norris]
This is going to ruin everyone's bracket.
[Comment from Atalanta80]
This is going to ruin my bracket!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Two attackers for two midfielders. Spain isn't mucking around anymore.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Double substitution for Spain, Navas and Torres on for Busquets and Silva.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Villa was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but benaglio got there on time!
[Comment from Discouraged Spain Fan]
The greatest choke artists at work.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Ramos's header off a Xavi cross goes over.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: On a second move he wins a corner.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Ramos pulls a lovely move to get past his man but the cross was lacking.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Then again, they were accurate and didn't manage to score.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Puyol's cross is no good either. Spain is getting sloppier by the minute.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sergio Ramos's cross sails over his teammates.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: That makes it 12 Spanish shots, five of them on goal.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Iniesta feeds Villa, whose left-footed strike from 16 yards is easily picked up by Benaglio.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Quite right, Rob, I think if Fernandes hadn't scored, they could have called a penalty on two occasions. Good on the ref for not whistling until the play was over.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A Swiss cross almost makes it to Derdiyok, before Casillas picks it up.
Chris Jones: Agreed Rob. He tried to use his feet not once but twice. That's either a lack of form or a lack of courage there.
ESPN Stats and Info: Switzerland is playing for its 5th straight World Cup shutout, which would match the record set in 1990 by Italy.
[Comment from Rob]
The best keeper in the world should be using his hands....not diving like a field player
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Switzerland seems bolstered by their goal, and a little more willing to hold onto the ball.
[Comment from Bored WC fan 2K10]
*wakes up to hear Leander yelling* Goal? Switzerland? Am I dreaming?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: As Italy well knows.
[Comment from dude]
clearly possession and high pass percentage doesnt win games, finishing does.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: You don't get points for possession.
[Comment from El Espa?]
I'm going to be so upset if Switzerland wins, Spain has definitely been playing better
Chris Jones: Blunt force, beating art.
Chris Jones: And Spain vomits all over itself again. Fernandes played like a man there.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: They have been completely dominated.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: With just two shots and 35 percent of possession, Switzerland is ahead.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: On the counterattack!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Gelson Fernandes scrambles it home!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: SWITZERLAND!!!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: GOAL!!!
Chris Jones: I feel like Spain is playing a little too precious here.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spanish are lounging in the Switzerland box. Busquets's shot from the edge of the box was terribly off target though.
Chris Jones: Nice head away by the Swiss defender, actually.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Iniesta into the box but sends a terrible ball to Xavi. Xabi Alonso skies another shot.
Chris Jones: My wallet is hoping not, Mike. If you get my meaning.
[Comment from Mike]
Do you think that being labelled contenders the Dutch will choke again Chris?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Silva goes to ground in the box. No penalty! Shocking scenes. (Not that there should have been a penalty.)
Chris Jones: Hey Bored -- Brazil looked pretty handy last night. Germany looked scary in their opener, albeit against Australia. But for reasons I can't articulate, I like the Dutch. With the exception of Leander.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spain again went down at the slightest touch and got the call.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The ref may choke on his whistle soon.
[Comment from Bored WC fan 2K10]
Chris: Who is going to win the WC this year? I like Brazil.
[Comment from Nick]
Yellow card to Leander for poor movie selection
[Comment from Wolf]
I told my boss that I would not be doing any work until noon on friday. Watching Dempsey and Donovan (hopefully) dismantle Slovenia is more than worth my job.
[Comment from jeremy]
The names Schaerlaeckens, Leander Schaerlaeckens.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Jabulani!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: That ball may have made it into the ocean.
Chris Jones: That ball traveled farther than Sputnik.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Xavi's corner is played out to Alonso, who boots it over.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Silva makes a nice move to get himself back in the box, but he waits to long to play it off and gets only a corner.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: We're back underway.
[Comment from Dominick]
A co-worker called me out to my boss yesterday for watching GameCast, think that stopped me today...
[Comment from Em]
"Those who can't play, write."
[Comment from Meelad]
you're not the only one
[Comment from Zack]
are you high on crack right now? cuz that MOVIE'S AMAZING
Leander Schaerlaeckens: But nobody knows with this World Cup...
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It seems inevitable that they break through at last.
[Comment from Al]
Leander, aer you expected Spain to start producing goals in the second half like Brazil did yesterday?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Argentina.
[Comment from Pranav]
Leander- South Korea or Argentina
[Comment from Larry]
It was those reasons Leander that I turned to officiating! LOL
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I like where this is going.
[Comment from Ray]
Why don't we have Leander Schaerlaeckens - World Series Announcer?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I hate that movie.
[Comment from BJ]
"Leander Schaerlaeckens' Day Off"...pretty catchy
Chris Jones: Real work takes five minutes. I can't resist the lure of Cover It Live and its comments.
[Comment from Evil Legal]
Chris I thought you had real work. Get out of here.
[Comment from Work]
I love my cubicle.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Not tall enough for basketball, not enough power for baseball and not good enough at soccer.
Chris Jones: Ah, good point Joe. Winless, I believe.
[Comment from Joe]
Chris - 13 game losing streak or winless streak?
[Comment from damon]
thus a sports writer was born
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Soccer, baseball and basketball. Oh, and hooky too.
[Comment from Kyle]
what did you play leander? just soccer?
Chris Jones: Interesting stat -- Chile broke a 13-game losing streak at the World Cup today. Bulgaria has the record for the longest -- 17 games.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: He injured himself tackling a teammate. I am dead serious.
[Comment from Justin]
For those of us not watching, why did Senderos get taken off?
[Comment from Matt]
I actually have a report that is called the TPS report. : (
[Comment from Dave]
Jake, I guess I am slightly lucky with my half-high cubicle wall. It seems to be disassembled, but unfortunately, I am still trapped in my box :(
ESPN Stats and Info: Tranquillo Barnetta's 39 touches lead the Swiss....Seven players from Spain equal or eclipse that mark.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Netherlands.
[Comment from Travis]
Leander - Netherlands vs. Japan. Who ya got?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: They can not only afford to, they'll have to. If the U.S. doesn't win that game, it makes things really hard on itself.
[Comment from JOSH]
Leander, do you agree that the US can afford to be more attacking minded against Slovenia?
[Comment from Ted]
Seriously guys, where's my red stapler?
[Comment from Russ]
Cubes for life!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Nay. I'm all for a 4-3-3 (which will never happen) with Feilhaber, Torres and Michael Bradley in the midfield and Altidore up front with Donovan and Dempsey.
ESPN Stats and Info: Spain has completed 337 passes in the first half...more than 70% of teams have thus far in their opening matches.
[Comment from Jeff]
Leander: What do you say about the probability of Robbie Findley starting again? Yeah or nay?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Since I never got past high school sports, names on jerseys were never a problem.
[Comment from Brandon]
Schaerlaeckens must've gone down both arms on the back of a jersey
[Comment from Jake]
I am staring at a cubical wall right now. Y'all have inspired me to disassemble it.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I say so. But Bob Bradley will have to get serious about possession and creativity. He should add either Francisco Torres or Benny Feilhaber, if not both.
[Comment from Tim]
Leander will U.S. win next game?
[Comment from Konator]
Yeah.....I'm gonna need you guys to come in this Saturday.....
[Comment from Pepper]
Hey there Leander ;)
[Comment from Jeremiah]
Joseph, didn't you get the memo about the TPS reports?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I think it was a shot too. But when I say it's a fluke, I mean that the odds of that shot going on, whether intentional or not, are so absurdly slim, that it can't be other than a fluke. Either that or absolute genius. As in: Da Vinci, Mozart, Maicon.
[Comment from rather be at the bar]
Leander- did Maicon shoot that ball? or cross it? I say it was a shot
Leander Schaerlaeckens: SHAR-LA-KUNZ. Now that would be a hot-selling app. One that teaches you to pronounce my name.
[Comment from Spro]
Leander how do you pronounce that dreadful name of yours?
Chris Jones: Don't forget to put a cover on them, Joseph.
[Comment from Joseph]
Everyone back to their TPS reports for intermission
Chris Jones: I know you're going to miss me, but I've got to spend half time doing "real" work. I'll be back for the second half. Keep peppering Leander in the meantime.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Half-time.
Chris Jones: Man, that was a goal. I don't care if it was a fluke, as some people (cough, Leander, cough) are saying. That goal was incredible.
[Comment from Joe]
Trying to pull a Maicon?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I think if Switzerland scores, Spain will awake from its coma.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: One minute of stoppage time.
[Comment from Jolley]
Why am I getting the feeling that a fluke Swiss goal may decide this thing.
Chris Jones: That was one of those, might have been a shot, might have been a pass plays. Either way, not good.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Villa gets into the box and past the goalkeeper and tries to chip it in, but it goes past the goal mouth.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Amazingly, yes.
[Comment from TW]
But did he stay vertical?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The ball rolls to Iniesta outside of the box. He takes a swipe at it, but it's skied.
Chris Jones: Yeah, just an endless string of soccer rambling.
[Comment from roger]
any chance we ill be seeing a "Leanderapp" any time soon for the iphone?
[Comment from MHM_Roch]
with a name like "Guido" can they be anything but witty??
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Silva gets it into the box but Villa can't get to it. Why Spain is playing through the air without Torres there I know not.
Chris Jones: Green will start, I'm pretty sure, Bill. As he should. A very good keeper who had an inexplicable lapse. Plus, if they don't start him, his head will explode, I fear.
[Comment from Bill]
So how about that Robert Green. You guys think he should get sacked for that blunder against the US?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Iniesta gets into the corner and....drumrolls... falls down. No free kick. The referee's whistle may be worn out.
ESPN Stats and Info: Spain currently passing over 94%, if they keep this pace it would be the highest single-game percentage of any team since 1966.
Chris Jones: Not good, I don't think. I like Spain and Chile, myself.
[Comment from stuck@work]
Chris, what are the chances that the Swiss actually advance out of group play?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Are they certifiably witty?
Chris Jones: 10 rand, over to me.
[Comment from Guido]
who do I pay off to get my witty comments posted on here?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Barnetta gets forward but his cross is blocked.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Chris didn't have a phone at all until recently, right?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spain is pressing. A goal is hanging in the air. It would be nice too.
Chris Jones: I have neither a vuvuzela nor an iPhone. I am a man of the past.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I have no iPhone, and if I did I could think about a million better uses of my money.
[Comment from Sal]
Chris and Leander - Will you purchase the Vuvuzela for your iPhones?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Senderos gets hurt tackling a teammate. I'm not even kidding.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Capdevilla chips it at Villa in the box, but he came just short on the header.
ESPN Stats and Info: Spain has attempted over three times as many passes as Switzerland has (288 - 95).
Chris Jones: If anybody underestimates Slovenia, they're making a mistake. I think that will be a very even game. 1-1.
[Comment from Ryan]
Chris, who wins the US game on Friday?
Chris Jones: You name it Tim: the ball, the altitude, the cold, the jitters... We've heard it all.
[Comment from Tim]
Guys, any explanation for the low scoring thus far (aside from typical first game cautious defending)?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Xavi sends the ball in, and Pique manages to hold onto it for a little while amid four men, before it's cleared.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Pulling Iniesta down by his arm.
Chris Jones: I actually like South Africa to win tonight, Andrew. They should have won over Mexico, really, and that's a ridiculous sentence when you think about it. That might be my heart talking, but the support here is incredible.
[Comment from Andrew]
Chris whats your feeling on the South Africa game? Home feild advantage going to favor them again?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: He and gravity are best friends.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Headed away. Iniesta hugs the earth AGAIN.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Villa takes it but it's blocked by the wall and goes behind. Corner for Xavi.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Iniesta is taken down at the tom of the box... barely. Either way, he gets a free kick and Stephane Grichting is given a yellow.
Chris Jones: It's 4:30 in the afternoon, dude. I've been up for at least 45 minutes.
[Comment from JOSH]
Does "busy day here" mean "I overslept"?
ESPN Stats and Info: The last goal Switzerland allowed in World Cup play was against Spain in 1994.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: That was a really bad joke.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It is actually.
Chris Jones: With the advantage of knowing what's happened the first 29 minutes, I'll say 2-0, Spain.
[Comment from Andrew]
what up chris? final score prediction?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Chris was working on a piece about National Youth Day here. Like that's more important...
Chris Jones: Seriously, GG? That's not like Leander.
[Comment from GG]
It's ok Chris, Leander's been more than picking up the slack...Been quite entertaining, in fact.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Both teams are being a little soft here. The ref is easy on the whistle, so every touch is currently deserving of serious squirming it seems.
Chris Jones: I'll have you know these boots were made for walking, Leander.
Chris Jones: You know, Charlie, to be honest, I don't mind them. I know they're annoying on TV, but sitting in the stadium, they just kind of fade into the background. Of course, next to my screaming kids, they're like a lullaby.
[Comment from Charlie]
Chris what do you think about the vuvuzelas?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Currently with his nasty old boots up on the table.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Christopher Jones, everybody. Contributing editor to ESPN The Magazine and writer-at-large for Esquire.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Ziegler's free kick is at the bottom right corner, but saved by Casillas, who grabs the shot he blocked.
Chris Jones: Hey everybody, sorry I'm late. A busy day here.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Swiss possession at a whopping 28 percent now. The Swiss get a free kick on the edge of the box though. The play was dangerous and a Swiss player was hit in the face with a boot.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: He got the ball in the box, faked out his man and shot. Saved by Benaglio.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Pique with a fat chance!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It's a shame I've gone to lunch already. That would have given me something to do. I guess I'll just do this instead.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: We've now established that cameras are expensive.
[Comment from cameras Rule]
1000????? where do you get your cameras at? these are at least 20k cams.....this is the WORLD CUP, not your kids soccer game.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: What's Honduras's handicap though? All teams that aren't Spain should get a head start in that category.
ESPN Stats and Info: Spain has completed 95% of their passes, while Switzerland has completed 70%. It took Spain 15 minutes to eclipse Honduras's successful passes mark from earlier today (162).
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Iniesta gets a shot off, Fernandes got a foot to it though, and it went straight at Benaglio without much sting in it.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Senderos misses a header entirely. Jabulani!
[Comment from Matty]
Cameras are briging this game to you, idiot.
[Comment from Brian]
$1000 for those cameras?? Hardly, try $10-20K
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Switzerland gets a touch or two in and their possession skyrockets to 27 percent.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Don't be deceived by the drabness of this match though. I can see Spain break it open any minute now and romp to a walk-over.
[Comment from Germany]
Yea... it counts for like $1,000
[Comment from cameras SUCK!]
Sergio Ramos is my new best friend.
[Comment from Karl]
Nearly as many broken cameras as goals this year. Not a good sign.
[Comment from Yunny]
Those poor, poor cameras behind the goal!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: So that's got to count for something.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sergio Ramos gets himself into the box and into shooting position, but we quickly learn why he plays on the right. The shot with his left was poor. He did manage to shatter a camera though.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: David Silva right at the goalkeeper from a tightish angle.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A shot!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: But other than make sure that everybody gets a touch they've made little use of it.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spain still has 82 percent of possession.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Or even a shot for that matter.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I know we were looking for some more excitement from this game, but there has yet to be a shot on goal with 15 minutes gone.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It somehow looks like there are twice as many red jerseys as white ones. (Red is Spain.)
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spain by two.
[Comment from Matt]
Leander...Spain by two...?..or epic fail as the brasil result...?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Xavi is offside after Villa heads it on in the box.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spain.
[Comment from Square Ball]
Who do you have winning it all Leander?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spain zips it around until Silva misplays a ball. But almost immediately Spain recovers it. A trend emerges.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Silva plays a nice pass into Villa. But he fails to take his dribble past the goalkeeper.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Harmless.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Yay! Some possession for Switzerland. And a corner too!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I do. Nerves will recede, teams will figure things out, there will be pressure to score on teams needing results.
[Comment from Eric]
Leander, do you expect the amount of goals to increase as we get father in the world cup?
[Comment from shawn]
it says 87% - 13% spain online (possession)
Leander Schaerlaeckens: We're a small club, but a tight-knit one.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: You're a lucky man, Mike.
[Comment from Mike]
My middle name is Leander!
[Comment from Chris]
This is gorgeous.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I'd love to see a stat on possession. It must be something like 90-10 in favor of Spain.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: On paper it's a 4-5-1, but Iniesta is playing really high up. Sometimes Xavi takes his place. They're at their best when they frequently exchange roles.
[Comment from Tom]
So is Spain not actually playing the 4-3-3?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spain is pressing early on, with Switzerland given no choice but to sit back and absorb it.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: No.
[Comment from Nikki]
Is Torres expected to be out for the entire cup?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Iniesta looks like he's playing as a withdrawn striker. Not a bad spot for him, so long as he gets room to roam.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Everybody not starting is automatically on the bench, whether they are actually able to play or not.
[Comment from Jason]
Torres on the bench?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spain takes possession early. Crisp passes as always.
[Comment from Matt]
Man...your a tough nut to crack Leander...
Leander Schaerlaeckens: We're ready for kick-off here. Switzerland will kick off, which at least means they didn't have to pick a side.
[Comment from Switzerland]
Let's stop picking sides and just remain neutral, everyone. (Buh dum chh)
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Not everything gets posted, Arvind. I have to publish things. So please no profanities, it won't get posted.
[Comment from Arvind (New York)]
how do we post?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Good question, Chris. I went and asked Paul Carr from our Stats & Information department, he told me in the modern format (with 32 teams) scoring has been as follows:
2010 Group Stage - 1st 15 games: 24 goals
2006 Group Stage - 1st 16 games: 39 goals
2002 Group Stage - 1st 16 games: 46 goals
1998 Group Stage - 1st 16 games: 37 goals
[Comment from Chris]
Is the the lowest scoring opening week of a World Cup Leander?
[Comment from wow]
N'Kufo will dominate (hey, I'm a Sounders fan, I can dream)...
[Comment from Dazzle]
Spain will reach the semifinals without any questions.
[Comment from moe]
4-0
[Comment from Dizzle]
Spain will choke. I swear they're worse than England on the big stage
[Comment from Adam]
Sanderos will get skinned at least 5 times today. He is dreadful in the back
[Comment from rlmercad]
Spain 3-0
[Comment from Studly]
Spain is stacked, group win, no cup though
[Comment from Britt]
2-0 Spain.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Ask my mom.
[Comment from Ted]
Where can I get a cool name like Leander Schaerlaeckens?
[Comment from Gor]
The Swiss should severely slow the Spanish onslaught, but without Frei they may well be goalless this cup as well.
[Comment from Carlos]
I think Spain will come out strong and fizzle out with the lead and play defense
[Comment from Andrew LaBarbera]
puyol has a similar physique to myself...only difference is my weight comes from burgers and beer and his comes from working out and muscles
[Comment from Derek]
1-1 it'll end.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Very, Bacon... Very.
[Comment from Bacon]
How sick is it that Spain's bench is better than half the teams out there...
[Comment from Your Name]
Spain will crush them
[Comment from mikw]
swiss are gonna open em up like a bank account!
[Comment from Roger Federer]
These stupid vuvuzelas are going to hold the score down to 1-0 for Spain just like every other game so far. It's getting rather annoying. Can we add a shot clock or something?
[Comment from M]
Spain all the way :)
[Comment from Favad Ali]
Spain's lineup is STACKED. It's no wonder they are favourite to take home the cup.
[Comment from Rick]
The Spanish look too good for this group I expect a 2-0 win
[Comment from Josh beck]
Switzlerland has the victory
[Comment from ]
Dear god. Please don't let that person's ignorance taint your impression of my half of the world, Leander.. We're not all that oblivious, I swear.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I'm hoping for one. We've been starved for goals here.
[Comment from Rick]
Leander... do you expect a blowout win for the favored Spaniards?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I'd call it high-30s here in Johannesburg.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Not as cold as yesterday when I was at Brazil-North Korea. It was painfully cold. It was no warmer than mid-20s.
[Comment from Halo_Friday]
How cold is it?
[Comment from Steve Reid]
HAHA ya well South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere Einstien, so the soltices are reversed its essentially the equivalent of December 16th In South Africa, so your the idiot
Leander Schaerlaeckens: No. It looks like it's in Durban.
[Comment from Travis]
How is the weather, any precipitation?
[Comment from Adam]
I'm excited to see Spain finally - it has been a long wait to see one of the two or three favorites to win this tournament
[Comment from Eric]
I'm calling it right now Swiss over Spain
[Comment from GB]
toronto is so gloomy today, i wish i was there!
[Comment from Will]
Hopefully we get some excitement from one of the high profile teams rather than another dud of a game!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: They have a few decent players. Philippe Senderos is a decent defender, although some at Arsenal would disagree. They're without their best striker, Alex Frei, but in Tranquillo Barnetta they have an explosive winger and Gelson Fernandes, lately of Manchester City, now of Saint-Etienne is a good holding midfielder. Blaise N'Kufo meanwhile will be plying his trade for Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer after the World Cup.
[Comment from nothingxs]
Leander, I don't know much about the Swiss squad. What can you tell us about their style of play and players?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I reckon they'll struggle to.
[Comment from K]
Any way switzerland keeps this close?
[Comment from Nacho Libre]
Viva Espania!
[Comment from D. Villa and F. Torres]
Spain is going to take it all!
[Comment from Charles]
Spain will be looking to stamp a bit of authority on the world cup today with what will be a hopefully convincing win over the swiss.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Let's hear from you, readers. What are you expecting? Who are you calling for the win?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Swiss are without striker Alex Frei.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Switzerland:
Goalkeeper: Diego Beaglio
Defenders: Stephane Lichtsteiner, Philippe Senderos, Stephane Grichting, Reto Ziegler
Benjamin Huggel, Tranquillo Barnetta, Gokhan Inler, Gelson Fernandes
Blaise N'Kufo, Eren Derdiyok
Leander Schaerlaeckens: We're in the Southern hemisphere my friend. It's about to be winter.
[Comment from ]
u r an idiot. summer hasn't even started yet.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The notable absence for Spain of course is Fernando Torres, who evidently lost the fitness race to get ready for this match.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Spain:
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas
Defenders: Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevilla, Sergio Ramos
Midfielders: Adnres Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Dacid Silva, Xabi Alonso
Forwards: DavidVilla
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Here are your lineups:
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Switzerland, however, did notch four consecutive shutouts at World Cup 2006.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: No team has won more games at a World Cup than Spain (22) without ever lifting the trophy. And Spain, in spite of its failures, has won its last seven group games at the World Cup, and would have to look like a good bet to take this one too. The other game in Spain's group, between Honduras and Chile ended in 0-1, after Chile dominated the game.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: These teams have faced each other 18 times before. Spain won 15 times and three times they drew. Their only World Cup matchups were in 1994 and 1966. Spain won both times.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Switzerland, like Spain, has some injury worries, but without the luxury of a team so deep that even the absence of its very best players can easily be compensated for.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Whether Spain's summer is over we should learn more about today. The defending European champions have never been anything other than talented but ultimately hapless at a World Cup and are looking to break the spell. Its team might just be stronger than it was in 2008, when it romped to the European title and goes into the tournament as co-favorites with Brazil – which wasn't overly impressive last night.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It's another frigid day in South Africa, where summer is now well and truly over.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Mornin', everybody.