Spain give it a Viennese Whirl: Austria 1 - 5 Spain

When Spain get the sewing machine out and start threading those patterns they are simply unstoppable. Austria even had the cheek to gatecrash their own party with an early goal through Jantschner in the 7th minute, but that was as good as it got for the hosts as Spain grabbed hold of the ball and refused to give it back. At times the passing was irresistable, with Andrés Iniesta embodying all that is beautiful about the great game. Effortless touch, eagle-eyed vision and the ability to thread a ball through the tightest of holes. An absolute joy to watch.

The Austrian lead lasted all of three minutes. As great teams do, Spain refused to panic in what was a fantastic atmosphere for a friendly. When a defender tripped on the ball just outside his area, David Silva picked it up and slid it through to Cesc, who danced through the backline to wrongfoot the keeper and sidefoot in. Ten minutes later they were ahead, with Iniesta the creator: an inch-perfect angled pass through to Villa who just doesn't miss, firing across Gratzei and into the corner. Austria had no choice but to resort to a physical approach, but things got even harder for the home side after Pehlivan was harshly sent off for a robust yet innocuous challenge on Sergio Busquets.

Just before half-time, Spain worked another fantastic goal which was almost a carbon copy of the second. This time it was Silva who spotted Villa's run and weighted a glorious pass which the Valencia hitman rolled under the goalie. At half-time Del Bosque withdrew Iniesta, Xavi, Villa, Silva and Casillas and introduced Pablo Hernandez, Jesus Navas, Güiza, Negredo and Reina, but it did little to interrupt the Spanish dominance. In the space of a minute 'La Roja' were suddenly 5-1 up, as Fenerbache striker Güiza and Pablo Hernandez upped their World Cup stakes with strikes in the 56th and 57th minute. And although Spain had further chances to increase their lead, the scoreline didn't budge. Spain end 2009 just as they started it: unbeatable. On to 2010......

International Friendly: (Highlights below)
Austria 1 - 5 Spain

African World Cup Playoff:
Algeria 1 - 0 Eygpt (Algeria qualify for World Cup)

European World Cup Playoffs:
Ukraine 0 - 1 Greece (Greece qualify for World Cup)
Bosnia 0 - 1 Portugal (Portugal qualify for World Cup)
Slovenia 1 - 0 Russia (Slovenia qualify for World Cup on away goals rule)
France 1 - 1 Ireland AET (France qualify for World Cup)

South/Central America Playoff:
Uruguay 1 - 1 Costa Rica (Uruguay qualify for World Cup)

Spain v Austria and World Cup Playoffs 18.11.09

Tonight sees Spain make a return to the Euro 2008 battleground, where they emerged triumphant winners against the Germans 17 months ago. Austria will welcome 'La Roja' to the Ernst Happel Stadium for an international friendly that will enable the Spanish to relive that glorious summers night in Vienna. A few faces have changed since then, with coach Luis Aragonés having left to be replaced by current incumbent Vicente Del Bosque, but the footballing philosophy remains very much the same.

Barcelona defender Carlos Puyol has muscle problems, so Raul Albiol will take his place in defence. Cesc Fabregas is expected to partner Xavi in midfield, sitting Xabi Alonso on the bench, whilst David Villa will get a chance to taste the Ernst Happel atmosphere he was so cruely denied in 2008. The man who set Spain on the road to glory in that final, Fernando Torres, unfortunately misses out through injury.

For Dietmar Constantini's Austria, this is their moment of glory for 2009 after they failed to make it to the World Cup. Many will predict a hammering for Austria, much like the one they received in Valencia in 1999 when they were beaten 9-0, but they will be keen to avoid a humiliation infront of their home fans. The only danger expected to be posed by the Austrians comes in the shape of Red Bull Salzburg's striker Marc Janko, who has scored 7 in the last 14 outings for his country.

Away from all this international friendliness, there are far more important matches taking place across the world tonight. The final six places are up for grabs in next summer's World Cup, and all the playoffs are still firmly in the balance. First up is Eygpt and Algeria who will play their sudden death playoff in Sudan amidst a security lockdown after trouble erupted last time out in Cairo when the Algeria team bus was attacked by Eygpt fans.

Then the duels in Europe take centre stage, and all eyes will be on France and Portugal who will be expected to take their places in the South African showpiece, but it certainly wont be plain sailing with both Bosnia and Ireland proving first time around that they can more than match their illustrious opponents. Finally across the Atlantic, Costa Rica will travel to Montevideo to take on Uruguay having lost the first leg 0-1 at home.

African Sudden Death Playoff:
Eygpt - Algeria 6.30pm (Khartoum, Sudan)


European Playoffs:

Ukraine - Greece 7pm (0-0)
Bosnia - Portugal 8.45pm (0-1)
Slovenia - Russia 8.45pm (1-2)
France - Ireland 9pm (1-0)

South/Central American Playoff:
Uruguay - Costa Rica 12am (1-0)

Messi to cultivate Maradona perm?

Argentina have bagged the World Cup before it's even started. Why? Because Lionel Messi will cultivate a Maradona perm which will turn him into a devine, unstoppable force that will propel the 'Albiceleste' to the top of world football....just as Diego 'La Pelusa' (which translates as cheeky rascal or ball of fluff, you choose) Maradona did in Mexico 1986. Or at least thats what a group of Argentinians believe, who have created a website to persuade Messi to don the famous barnet in South Africa.

The reason? Aerodynamics of course. They believe that the airflow around those famous curly locks transformed Maradona into a 'cosmic force', aiding his infamous leap towards Peter Shilton and the following wonder goal that ended Englands dream in 1986. Here are their scientifically proven arguments:

Wierd Science: Have no doubts about what made Maradona untouchable in 1986; it was his perm. The curls made the air flow 'stick' around the whole circumference of his head, creating an aerodynamic downforce much like that created by the wings on a Formula 1 car. This aerodynamic force allowed the player to maintain perfect equilibrium and achieve a glue-like adherence to the grass. This explains the jaw-dropping skills which Diego thrilled us with in '86. And what else can explain Columbia's footballing success in the 90's: the scorpion kick by Columbian keeper Higuita and Valderamma's heavenly ability in midfield. (No mention of Keegan?!)

Mythology: Many Argentines have tried to create analogies between that success in '86 and now. The Maradona-Bilardo partnership, the fact that Adidas manufactured both shirts. But the Maradona perm holds even greater weight. If we want to recreate that glorious success of our last World Cup win, we have to go down to the finest details: Messi MUST grow that perm. Can you imagine.....the shirt, the number 10, and those curls reeking havoc in South Africa.....we can.

There is even a testimonial from Maradona's hairdresser, who cut his hair just before he left for Mexico, and who even claims some credit for that wonder goal! It remains to be seen if Messi will take note, or even if it's possible without surgical intervention.....but those loyal followers are convinced that if he does heed their advice, the famous trophy will be theirs!

You can find the website HERE (in Spanish)