Pre-tournament favourites Spain were surprisingly beaten 1-0 by an ultra defensive Switzerland in their opening game at this summer's World Cup, but midfielder Xavi has made it clear that he wouldn't be happy to win a game like that.
Pre-tournament favourites Spain were surprisingly beaten 1-0 by an ultra defensive Switzerland in their opening game at this summer's World Cup, but midfielder Xavi has made it clear that he wouldn't be happy to win a game like that.
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Xavi in an interview with FIFA's official website said: "I'm a footballing romantic just like Cruyff. We like football that is attractive, attacking and easy on the eye. When you win playing like this it's twice as satisfying."
The South Americans however are still now confirmed of a place in the next round as Spain and Switzerland have three points apiece and can leapfrog them.
Switzerland will be favourites against Honduras and it will come down to goal difference should Spain beat Chile. In all probability the winner of the game between Spain and Chile would progress to the next round given Honduras don't pull off an upset against the Swiss.
Xavi in his interview further said, "Switzerland's tactics won them the game; they were trying to find a way to nullify us. They set out to play for a draw but ended up winning the match.
"I don't know how it feels to win by playing that way because it's not something I've experienced."
"I've always played attacking football: my footballing ideals are very clear and well-defined. I've grown up at Barcelona with that style and that's the one I like. I think it's good to win like that, by taking the initiative right from the off."
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