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All eyes were on Argentina/Portugal, billed as the Messi v. Ronaldo clash by just about everyone, but I like to think of it as the inferior version of El Clasico.  Barcelona and Real Madrid are better than Argentina and Portugal in just about every way, mostly thanks to the Spanish internationals playing at the peak of their careers right now.

I don’t mean to snub great players like Ever Banega, Esteban Cambiasso, Joao Moutinho or Raul Meireles, and I am aware the match was a friendly and so the players, mindful of upcoming games, may not have given everything.  And I do not think that only the Spanish contribute to the superiority of the club teams, but Casillas, Valdes, Xavi, Pique, David Villa, Puyol, Xabi Alonso, Ramos, Iniesta, and Pedro would surely find their way into the international set-up of either Portugal or Argentina.  Similarly, I think other Barcelona/Madrid players would do the same, especially Dani Alves, Mesut Ozil, Kaka and Eric Abidal.

While many rightly focus on Messi and Ronaldo as the two centerpieces of their teams, I believe last night’s match was really a battle between the coaches, and I can say that both won, despite the 2-1 scoreline favoring Argentina.  The underwhelming World Cup performances of both Argentina and Portugal were probably due to bizarre selection, and even stranger tactics from Argentina’s and Portugal’s respective managers.

Last night, finally, after an excruciating World Cup where Messi would collect the ball at the halfway line and attempt to create chances/dribble the entire opposition, Lionel was advanced to positions where he could much more effective.  The first goal even looked like one of those vintage Messi moments that have become his trademark of genius: the Argentine, on the right, ran at the (terrified) defenders at pace, cut in left at the top of the eighteen yard box, ran parallel to the goal line while skipping around two challenges, and then, when everyone was expecting a glory-finish, La Pulga split two more defenders with a pass so perfectly weighted that Angel di Maria could tap it around the goalkeeper with his weaker right foot.

If the top left corner of the eighteen yard box is called “La Zona Del Piero” in Italian football, the top right must now be called “La Zona Messi” in Spanish football.

And, finally Cristiano Ronaldo he has stopped being the lone center forward of Portugal.  While he certainly has the attributes of no. 9 finishers (pace, two-footed shooting, heading, goal-hunger bordering on selfishness, quick reactions), I think the new Ronaldo is better behind a forward, even a not-so-thrilling one like Hugo Almeida.  And while CR7 still has the tendency to try huge shots from distance that rarely come off, Ronaldo is more likely to pass with someone in front of him, to involve players like Nani in the buildup, etc.  Portugal look much better for this tactical shift.  The painful long passes to Ronaldo that we all saw towards the end of Portugal/Spain in the World Cup are hopefully things of the past.

The new coaches of Argentina and Portugal, it seemed to me, may have swallowed their egos, their desires to find new ways to field the best players in the world and be hailed for it, and simply did the obvious: they played no. 10 and no. 7 in the positions from which they have profited the most at the club level.  There is no shame in taking lessons from great coaches, and if Paulo Bento and Sergio Batista were inspired by the style of Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola, Alex Ferguson, and Jose Mourinho, then two of the best national teams in the world can only benefit.

How about the message sent by the people of Sevilla during the Spain-England friendly.  Thanks to Reuters for this great photo, the message says, “In Sevilla, we aren’t racists, we are artists.”  So now Ladies & Gentlemen, the artistry continues with another World Cup Buzz Top 5 for you.  After this past week of international friendlies and World Cup qualifiers you know we had to bring Edition #4 of the  Top 5.  Here they are the Top 5 Things Learned From This Last FIFA Date:

#1: Australia Is The New Power In Asia

The Socceroos have been flexing their muscle from Down Under since their move to the Asian Football Confederation in 2006.  Adelaide United made the ’08 Asian Champions League final and now the national team is playing the best ball in Asia.  They have taken 7 of a possible 9 points on the road so far in WCQ while going undefeated atop Group 1.  Bad news for their opponents, 3 of their next 4 WCQ matches are in Australia.  Most of their national team players work in Europe with England’s Premier League employing the majority of them.  The Socceroos are becoming the dominant nation in Asia.

#2: South America is BALLIN!

South American national teams stood out during this last FIFA Date.  Only 1 CONMEBOL side lost, Peru. They lost to the best team in South America right now, Paraguay.  Chile beat South Africa 2-0, Colombia beat Haiti 2-0, Venezuela took down Guatemala 2-1, and Uruguay beat Libya in a thriller 3-2.  The big displays of strength came from The CONMEBOL Powers: Brazil & Argentina.  Brazil breezed past Italy 2-0 on a neutral site and Argentina cruised by France on the road 2-0.  CONMEBOL sides played against nations from CONCACAF, Europe, and Africa and were undefeated. The only South American team to lose, lost to another South American side.  Further affirmation that South America is the cradle of talent and the toughest region in World Cup Qualifying.

#3: The Soca Warriors Blew It

Trinidad & Tobago carries the banner of Caribbean football into the final stage of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying and they blew a huge opportunity to start the hexagonal stage on top of the standings.  The Soca Warriors were up 2-0 on the road vs. El Salvador when they gave up 2 goals in the last 10 minutes to earn one point instead of the desired 3 points.  Vista Hermosa midfielder Osael Romero was the hero for Los Cuscatlecos and snatched a point from the jaws of defeat.  The Soca Warriors blew a golden opportunity to take a 3 points on the road.  3 points on the road in World Cup Qualifying is massive, thankfully it was only the 1st match of the hexagonal.

#4: Maradona May Know What He’s Doing

It might be too early to tell but “El Pibe De Oro” is turning Argentina’s form around to the positive side.  He’s been in charge for 2 friendlies and both have been wins:  1-0 versus Scotland and 2-0 versus France.  The true test of his managerial ability will come next month during CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying but Los Albicelestes have played with more life and passion.  The inclusion of Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez in the starting XI has been important in their improved play.  Its too early to say he is a great coach but so far its seems like he knows what he’s doing.

#5: Dunga Is Still On The Hot Seat

Let’s keep it real, the job security in being the coach of the Brazilian National Team is always fragile.  Despite Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Italy, Dunga seat has gotten hotter.  Why?  Thanks to Chelsea.  As it has been well publicized, Chelsea just fired Luiz Felipe Scolari after a disappointing few months at the London club.  His free agent status puts more pressure on Dunga because the coach of Brazil’s last World Cup triumph is available.  For Dunga’s sake, Scolari finds a job real soon.  If Brazil’s form dips during World Cup qualifying, Dunga’s seat is going to be boiling and the call for Scolari will be loud and the CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) might hear it and make the change.

Its another Top 5 for you here on World Cup Buzz. Don’t forget to check out our sister sites, to get the best opinions and insight on “The Beautiful Game.”

The midweek FIFA matches began with a massive clash between the two most successful clubs in World Cup history.  5-time champions Brazil & 4-time and current champions Italy. 

The match was a showcase of skill as the Brazilians defeated the Italians 2-0 in London’s Emirates Stadium.  The play of the match had to be Robinho’s goal in the 27th minute when he samba danced Gianluca Zambrotta and Andrea Pirlo out of their shoes and tucked a well placed shot past Gigi Buffon into the far post side net. 

Brazil v Italy wasn’t the only match on Tuesday so here are the results from the friendly matches on February 10th. 

 Brazil 2 – 0 Italy
BRA: Elano (13′) & Robinho (27′)

Cyprus Friendly Tournament
 Cyprus 0 – 2 Serbia
SER: Jovanovic (25′) & Lazovic (42′)

 Slovakia 2 – 3 Ukraine
SLO: Vittek (42′) & Hamsik (69′)
UKR: Valyayev (9′), Seleznov (46′), Milevskyi pen (83′)

Cyprus Friendly Tournament
3rd Place Match = Cyprus vs. Slovakia
Final = Ukraine vs. Serbia

French coach Raymond Domenech named his squad for the February 11th friendly versus Argentina in Marseille. The big news is the surprise call up of Toulouse keeper, Cédric Carrasso. He has been a part of Toulouse’s surprise 6th place standing and is the key component of a defense that is the 2nd stingiest in France’s Ligue 1. Carrasso will be the 3rd keeper.

Les Bleus have been hit hard with injuries as Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, Inter’s Patrick Vieira, Lyon’s Sidney Govou, and Arsenal’s Mickael Silvestre are all out for the match. Also missing from the squad are the top 2 scorers in Ligue 1. Toulouse’s André-Pierre Gignac & PSG’s Guillaume Hoarau. Both of them have 13 goals on the season and were overlooked in favor of Rennes’ Jimmy Briand & Milan loaner Yoann Gourcuff of Bordeaux. Here is the complete squad:

Goalkeepers: Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Cédric Carrasso (Toulouse)

Defenders: Eric Abidal (FC Barcelona/ESP), Gaël Clichy (Arsenal/ENG), Julien Escudé (FC Sévilla/ESP), Rod Fanni (Rennes), William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG), Philippe Mexès (AS Roma/ITA), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Sébastien Squillaci (FC Sévilla/ESP).

Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/ESP), Jérémy Toulalan (Lyon).

Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea/ENG), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Jimmy Briand (Rennes), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona/ESP), Samir Nasri (Arsenal/ENG), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich/GER).

Home Teams Listed First

Greece 1 – 1 Italy
GRE: Gekas 50′.
ITA: Toni 54′

Germany 1 – 2 England
GER: Helmes 63′.
ENG: Upson 23′, Terry 84′

Netherlands 3 – 1 Sweden
NED: Van Persie 33′ & 50′, Kuyt 90′.
SWE: Kallstrom 51′

Spain 3 – 0 Chile
ESP: Villa pen 37′, Torres 66′, Santi Cazorla 86′

Scotland 0 – 1 Argentina
ARG: Maxi Rodriguez 8′

France 0 – 0 Uruguay

Brazil 6 – 2 Portugal
BRA: Luis Fabiano 9′, 25′, 57′, Maicon 55′, Elano 65′, Adriano 90′+2′
POR: Danny 5′ & Simao Sabrosa 51′

Oman 0 – 1 Paraguay
PAR: Enrique Vera 37′

South Africa 3 – 2 Cameroon
SAF: Teko Modise 7′ & 24′, Scott Parker 81′.
CAM: D. Kone 28′, Somen Tchoyi 36′

Colombia 1 – 0 Nigeria
COL: Falcao 81′