Spain’s last game as defending champions will be a dead rubber against the lowest ranked FIFA team in the tournament. Both teams have been eliminated from the 2014 World Cup after two matches and provides the consolation of enabling one the teams to finish on a positive note. Like Netherlands v Chile this is the first meeting of the two teams and for Spain you have to wonder at the motivation to win compared with that of Australia for whom this match is massive.
Australia will be without their Talisman Tim Cahill who scored one of the best goals of the tournament whilst running the Netherlands close in that encounter but their captain believes the Socceroos have nothing to fear at the Arena de Baixada.
“It's going to be up to us again to go out there and get something out of the Spanish, and try to force our game on them," he said.
"If we beat Spain that will be one of the biggest moments in Australian history."
Spain have conceded more goals in two group stage matches than they did in winning Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012. Also of concern to Spain will be that Diego Costa has failed to muster a single shot on target in his 126 minutes on the pitch. Vicente del Bosque is expected to make a raft of changes to the humiliated Spanish side with Gerard Pique doubtful due to an abductor problem and with veterens Alonso and Casillas set to be relaced by Reina and Koke.
Asked if his side were lacking motivation in Brazil, defender Raul Albiol dismissed the suggestion.
"We are at a World Cup, we may be eliminated but we need to win and take some points so that we are not last in the group," said the former Real Madrid man.
"We are representing our country and these are the last 90 minutes.
"Unfortunately we will be going home afterwards, but the fact it is a World Cup is enough to motivate us."Source: DSG
