FIFA World Rankings, November 2009: Spain Topple Brazil

Matt S — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:38:16 -0500

Spain have returned to the top of the FIFA World Rankings, as published yesterday, replacing Brazil, who had held the No. 1 position for the previous four months.

The Confederations Cup champions now occupy second place after friendly wins over England and Oman last week. Spain beat Argentina 2-1 in Madrid before crushing Austria 5-1 in Vienna on Wednesday night.

Portugal are the big movers in the top 10, rising five places to fifth position after safely securing their passage to South Africa via a playoff with Bosnia Herzegovina.

France also climbed a couple of places on the back of their controversial playoff victory over the Republic of Ireland.

The two countries feel the benefit this month of having played competitive World Cup Qualifying matches, which are extremely valuable in terms of ranking points.

It is for this reason that FIFA have announced that the October rankings will be used to determine the seedings for the World Cup draw on Dec. 4 due to the November rankings giving an unfair advantage to the European nations who played competitive games while every team who had already qualified played friendlies.

Also feeling the benefit from winning play-off matches were Greece and Uruguay, who rose four and six places respectively.

Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire also made good progress, climbing three places each, after successfully rounding off their World Cup Qualifying campaigns.

Outside of the top 20, Nigeria have moved up 10 places to 22nd after booking their place in South Africa next summer against all odds.

Slovenia were rewarded for their surprise playoff win over Russia on away-goals with a rise of 16 places to 33rd position, their highest ranking since January 2004.

FIFA World Rankings, Top 20, November 2009

(movements from October rankings in parenthesis)

1. Spain (+1)

2. Brazil (-1)

3. Netherlands (-)

4. Italy (-)

5. Portugal (+5)

6. Germany (-1)

7. France (+2)

8. Argentina (-2)

9. England (-2)

10. Croatia (-2)

11. Cameroon (+3)

12. Greece (+4)

13. Russia (-1)

14. USA (-3)

15. Mexico (+3)

16. Cote d’Ivoire (+3)

17. Chile (-)

18. Switzerland (-5)

19. Uruguay (+6)

20. Serbia (-)

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

Yoosof Farah — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:13:16 -0500

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.

Read more Spain (National Football) news on BleacherReport.com

Bleacher Report - Spain (National Football)

FIFA World Rankings, November 2009: Spain Topple Brazil

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