FIFA World Cup Matchday 2 Preview: Defending Champions Spain Renew Rivalry with Netherlands, Mexico Tackle Cameroon as Chile Meet Australia

The 2014 FIFA World Cup enters its second day with three matches on the cards. Group ‘A’ duo, Cameroon and Mexico will clash at Estadio das Dunas in Natal in the early kick off. The winner of that match will join Brazil at the top of the group standings after the Selecao’s 3-1 beating of Croatia.

The biggest match of the day will be the giants’ clash in Group ‘B’ pitting defending champions Spain and the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2010 world cup final match which Spain triumphed 1-0. The two sides are among the favorites to lift this year’s title and the result of this match will go a long way into giving a hint on which team has the upper hand. 

Vicente Del Bosque’s side lost the opening match of the 2010 World Cup against Switzerland but the caliber of the opposition then must have allowed complacency to kick in. However, there will be no room for such overconfidence when they meet the Dutch who will be aiming to go one better than the runners up spot.

Spain have arguably the strongest midfield in the competition but it’s at the front where they get their catch-22. Although both Fernando Torres and David Villa are fit to start, the two are not considered potent enough to lead the line meaning Atletico Madrid Brazilian-born forward Diego Costa might fill up that role after declaring himself fit to play. Del Bosque has even more dilemma on who to pick in midfield but plenty is a problem he can easily deal with. 

The Dutch ‘s only problem will be the absence of Kevin Strootman who is set to miss out through injury. 

The late kick off will be the clash between Chile and minnows Australia. The two sides are considered the weakest link in Group ‘B’ but you won’t bet on them, especially the South Americans, to pull a surprise.

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