Forget Brazil or Italy, Spain Is the Team to Beat at the 2010 World Cup

Italy is current the FIFA World Cup champion, and Brazil is officially the No. 1 ranked team in the world. But who is the form team going into the pinnacle of World Football next year?

Spain, mis amigos, is the team to beat; a point further highlighted by their impressive 2-1 win over Argentina at the Vicente Calderon, home to Primera Liga giants Atlético Madrid.

It's a result that means La Selección Española have won an incredible 38 out of 43 matches since the start of 2007. By anyone's standards, that is the type of form that wins you trophies.

In front of a 54,000 strong crowd, it was clear to see in the first half who the better team was.

With favorite for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, FC Barcelona wizard Lionel Messi kept quiet by the rock solid defensive line, Spain were a cut above their opponents.

As the back four kept Messi and Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuaín quiet, the likes of David Silva, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, and David Villa wreaked havoc in the Argentina half.

However, for all their dominant and intricate interplay, Spain only had one Xabi Alonso goal to show for it 18 minutes into the match.

David Silva skipped past Martin Demichelis inside the area, and when his low shot was well saved by Argentina keeper Sergio Romero, Alonso pounced on the rebound to slide the ball in.

The Spanish continued to create chances in the remainder of the first half, and they almost doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Andrés Iniesta was denied by Romero, with David Villa's follow-up shot blocked on the line by Newcastle United defender Fabricio Coloccini.

In the second half the table had turned, and it was Argentina who surprisingly began after the re-start as the stronger team.

They closed Spain down quickly whenever the European champions had possession, and created two very good chances to equalise.

Higuain fired a low shot just wide of the far post, after Benfica wonderkid Angel Di Maria failed to cap off a fine move as his volley was saved by Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas.

It was Casillas' 100th appearance for La Selección Española , an achievement matched only by Andoni Zubizarreta (126 caps), and Raúl González (102 caps).

After two good opportunities, it didn't come as a big surprise when Messi equalised from the spot.

Maxi Rodriguez robbed Raul Albiol of possession near the touchline, and as the Real Madrid defender tried to win the ball back inside the area, he hauled Atlético Madrid winger Rodriguez down. Messi made no mistake from the spot, sending Casillas the wrong way to draw the scores level at 1-1 with 62 minutes of the match played.

At this point, Spain was feeling the heat, but Vicente Del Bosque's side rose to the challenge, and should've retaken the lead in the 70th minute, when the unmarked Ramos headed Cesc Fabregas' free-kick wide at the far post.

Joan Capdevila was then denied by a superb save from Romero, but just moments later Spain was handed an opportunity to win the game when Demichelis was adjudged to have blocked Alonso's shot with his hand.

With David Villa off the pitch, Alonso stepped up for the penalty, and buried his kick in the top corner to seal victory in front of a home crowd.

One period at the start of the second half aside, it was a very impressive, and dominant performance by Spain.

It was a performance that emphasised Spain's World Cup winning credentials, and highlighted the work that needs to be done in the Argentina national team if they are to have any hope of success in South Africa next year.

So, can Spain win the 2010 FIFA World Cup? Well, judging by their recent performances, they certainly have a greater chance than current champions Italy, and the world's No. 1 ranked team, Brazil.