Confederations Cup: Brazil vs Spain - Five talking points

1. Infallible no more

While it is a definite exaggeration to call it the ‘decline, or the ‘demise’, of Spanish domination over international football as they remain the squad with the greatest amount of ability. It can be said that the ‘tiki-taka’ style of football that has helped them dominate the world for six years is being increasingly exploited. Bayern Munich prophesied this shift of power-center with their Champions League decimation of Barcelona. Brazil have confirmed the observation.

They pressured the Spanish midfielders with great energy and forced them into losing balls and made an immediate switch to the flanks. The left-flank was especially exploited by Brazil and a number of goals in the finals came from there. Arbeloa and Jordi Alba were given a hard time as Neymar and Hulk left them languishing a number of times. It is not to say that this is the end for tiki-taka but it needs to find a second life, a makeover of sorts.