They have to be don't they? Tonight Spain conquered the Saint Denis Stadium with a fully deserved 2-0 victory over 1998 World Cup winners France. Vicente del Bosque had surprised some with his decision to start with one upfront, and with Cesc Fabregas in for Xavi, in a 4-2-3-1 formation. But if you can't experiment now, when can you? It wasn't a vintage Spain display by any means but two goals in the first half from David Villa (who else?) and Sergio Ramos saw Spain go in at half-time with the game pretty much sewn up.
They lacked their usual fluency in the middle, perhaps suggesting Fabregas isn't quite ready to fill Xavis boots in the national side, but they were still too good for a pretty organised French team. France had the better of the opening exchanges, creating a couple of dangerous moments, but once Spain got into their stride, the home team were chasing shadows. David Villa latched onto an Iniesta throughball to slot past Lloris for the first, a typically calm finish from the Valencia hotshot, while Sergio Ramos' deflected strike put Spain out of sight on the stroke of half-time. All eyes had been on Frank Ribery before the match, but the man widely expected to join Real Madrid this summer was conspicuous by his absence. Infact, only Patrice Evra looked like he would be worthy of a position in this Spain team.
The second half wasn't particularly pleasing on the eye, and with substitute Fernando Torres not quite having the same effect Villa had in the first, you would have to think Del Bosque would opt for Villa if he ever had to roll out this formation in the World Cup. How many national sides could possible conceive leaving out Cesc and Torres? Iker Casillas, on his record-equalling 102nd appearance (level with Raul and only behind Zubizarreta who has 126), was rarely troubled with a Malouda header which struck a post, the only moment Pique, Puyol or Albiol looked ruffled. Another Real Madrid target Jesus Navas came on for a cameo towards the end, but shot wide with his only presentable opportunity with only seconds remaining. So Spain march on towards South Africa, with only Brazil looking capable of giving them a run for their money.