The 2010 FIFA World Cup Thread #2/Sports Thread Special #3 For 6/25/10: Group H Finale Day, As The Group Stages End

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com

The Quick Analysis:
The nation of Chile will be thanking their Honduran brethren for a long time for how brilliant they were today. And I feel for Roger Federer, as his Swiss just weren't good enough on the day and couldn't take their chances.

But maybe it was good for them, considering that it will be Chile that will have to play Brazil and not them.

And you have to say, the Swiss are similar to the United States in regards to playing real well when they are the underdogs, but can't take the mantle of being favorite very well.

Just like four years ago against the Ukraine in that sleeper of a Round of 16 encounter, the Swiss just couldn't put it in the back of the net. And it is a shame considering that Eren Derdiyok couldn't show the confident goal scoring form he displayed for Leverkausen this year, as Barnetta laid a platter of a ball for him to head.

But massive credit must be given to Honduras, and their determination to the game despite just looking for the counter attack goal.

For Spain, the form of Fernando Torres and Xavi right now is the only thing preventing this team from taking off (as well as Puyl and Cadevilla in the back).David Villa is showing why he deserves to be in the discussion of the Messis, Ronaldos, and Rooneys of the world, while Andres Iniesta played his best game since his injury.

And for Spain, it is a big difference playing their Iberian brethen Portugal than that other Portuguese speaking country that is Brazil.

Man of the Match for Honduras, the goalkeeper was terrific:

And he's back........Andres Iniesta is back:

Final Group H Standings:

Spain 6 pts (+2)
Chile 6 pts (+1)
Switzerland 4 pts (0)
Honduras 1 pt (-3)

The full matches archives.

Photo from Getty Images

It's the last group, the last moments of the group states of this 2010 FIFA World Cup.

It is captivating stuff, as Spain looked to avoid one of the all time shockers and advance to the Round of 16. They will need nothing short of a win here, as Switzerland is expected to give Honduras a third lost in as many games.

It has already been some captivating "finale days" in the groups before the curtain closers here. From Group A's inspiration by the host just missing out from a historic comeback, to Group B seeing South Korea shine at the fault of poor Nigerian finishing. From "The Landon Donovan Show Heroics in Group C, to Mesut Ozil fully establishing himself as one of the world's future top tier players. From Keisuke Honda continuing is expedient takeover to little Slovakia knocking out the defending world champions italy in dramatic fashion.

It has been some enthralling final days this whole entire week, from Tuesday to today. And hopefully Group H will close it out in a bang. And with what is at stake folks, that certainly seems to be the case.

The scenarios:
For Chile: A win or a draw, and they will top the Group.

For Spain: A win over chile, and they will advance. A loss, and they will most likely be eliminated.

For Switzerland: A win and they will advance, regardless of what happens with Chile-Spain

For honduras: Well, they need simply a miracle.

The lineups for Spain-Chile:

Spain: Castillas, Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Cadevilla, Iniesta, Alonso, Busquets, Xavi, Torres, Villa

Chile: Bravo, Isla, Medel, Ponce, Jara, Iniesta, Estrada, Gonzalez, Beausejour, Valdivia, Sanchez

For Switzerland-Honduras:

Switzerland: Bengalio, Lichtsteiner, Von Bergen, Gritching, Ziegler, Fernandez, Inler, Huggar, Barnetta, Derdiyok, Nkufo

Honduras: Valladeres, Chavas, Bernandez, Figueroa, Sabillion, W. Palacios, J.N Palacios, Thomas, Suazo, Alvarez, Nunez

1st half analysis of both games:

Photo from Gtety Images and

Well, for Chile, there only hopes right now is Honduras, and Honduras, and Honduras.

The match for them is over, and they need to not make fools of themselves with these wild red card challenges that they are giving out to the Spanish.

And Andres Iniesta is back to his very best, where all Spain need is to get Torres and Xavi going right now.