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Too little, too late
Spain beats Bulgaria 6-1 but fails to qualify
Posted: Wednesday September 16, 1998 04:56 PM
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Not even Spain's 6-1 victory over Bulgaria could remove the bitter taste as Spain is eliminated from the World Cup compliments of the "Group of Death" David Cannon/Allsport |
LENS, France (CNN/SI)
-- For the Spaniards, it was a matter of too little, too late.
Spain
redeemed itself Wednesday with a 6-1 pummeling of Bulgaria, but
it was all in vain because the victory couldn't forestall World Cup
elimination.
Instead, Paraguay
advanced into the knockout rounds, clinching second place in Group D -- the
"Group of Death" as it came to be known -- by beating Nigeria 3-1 in
a simultaneous match. The Africans earlier took first place, with wins over
Spain and Bulgaria.
"The game showed you can't always get what you hope for," said Spain
coach Javier Clemente. "Today things looked as if they were working out for
us but Nigeria didn't win and you have to accept that.
"I am sad, but life goes on. The pride and prestige of the team were
clearly demonstrated."
Spain came into its 10th World Cup as one of the favorites but a 3-2
defeat against Nigeria followed by a 0-0 draw against Paraguay left it
totally dependent on the final game. It was the first of the top seeds to
be eliminated.
"When we went into the lead 4-1 and I heard Paraguay was winning I
just couldn't believe it," said Spanish defender Carlos Aguilera. "We came
here with such hopes."
Spain has been knocked out three times before in the first round, in
1962, 1966 and 1978. It's best placing was No. 4 in 1950.
After the match, Bulgarian coach Hristo Bonev indicated he would
resign.
"I am a man of principles and after this result, I can't contemplate
continuing," he said.
Asked what changes he would like to make in the team, Bonev replied:
"That, you will have to ask the next trainer."
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia looked on as Spain demonstrated speed
and skill unseen in its first two World Cup matches. It controlled
possession for much of the game.
After the game, Clemente took the opportunity to bid farewell to
Spain's goalkeeper Andone Zubizarreta, who is expected to formally announce
his retirement Thursday.
"I'd like to call for recognition for the best goalkeeper in the world
and the best person," said Clemente, who blamed the press for having too
harshly criticized the keeper following a blunder in the opening game
against Nigeria.
Spain took the lead in the sixth minute when Fernando Hiero converted
a penalty after defender Ivaylo Iordanov brought down Luis Enrique Martinez
in the area.
Twelve minutes later, Joseba Etxeberria raced down the right to cross
to the Barcelona all-rounder, who beat two Bulgarian defenders to send the
ball from eight yards past Zdravko Zdravkov.
Spain pressed on with a series of flowing attacks, with a pace
Bulgaria's aging veterans could not match.
Bulgaria's star attackers Hristo Stoickov and Emil Kostadinov were
outmarked with ease by Rafael Alkorta and Miguel Angel Nadal.
Luis Enrique set up Spain's third goal on a fast break from midfield
in the 53rd minute, finding Fernando Morientes who drilled it low from 14
yards into the corner.
Three minutes later, Bulgaria made it 3-1 when Kostadinov swiveled
around and fired from 12 yards out, squeezing the ball between Zubizarreta
and the left post.
Spain's fourth came in the 80th minute when Raul Gonzalez flicked the
ball to the unmarked Morientes at the edge of the area. The Real Madrid
striker pushed it past a diving Zdravkov and then ran on to shoot it in
from six yards.
Nine minutes later, Zdravkov elbowed the ball in after a header by
Kiko Narvaez bounced first off the crossbar but the goal was officially
awarded to Kiko.
Spain made it 6-1 three minutes into injury time, when Kiko took the
ball down from a cross from the left, turned and shot it between Zdravkov's
legs.
But by that time the Spaniards knew they were out.
Lineups
Spain: Andoni Zubizarreta, Carlos Aguilera, Rafael Alkorta,
Miguel Angel Ndal, Sergi Barjuan, Fernando Hierro, Guillermo Amor, Joseba
Etxeberria (Raul Gonzales, 51st minute), Luis Enrique Martinez (Julen
Guerrero 70th minute), Fernando Morientes, Alfonso Perez (Kiko Narvaez 65th
minute).
Bulgaria: Zdravko Zdravkov, Radostin Kischishev, Trifon Ivanov,
Ivaylo Iordnov, Gocho Guintchev, Krassimir Balakov, Anatoli Nankov
(Luboslav Penev, 28th minute), Daniel Borimirov, Georgi Batchev, Emil
Kostadinov, Hristo Stoichkov (Ilian Iliev, 46th minute).
Referee: Mario Van Der Ende (Netherlands
)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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