On the evening of June 29, in the World Cup Round of 16, Spain faced China.
The match was held at Cape Town Green Point Stadium, and Spain fielded their strongest lineup.
Casillas was in goal, with Capdevila, Pique, Puyol, and Ramos in defense. Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi, and Xabi Alonso formed the midfield, while Villa and Torres started up front as a striking duo.
Spain continued to rely on their traditional style of play, firmly controlling possession.
China Team also fielded their strongest lineup. They even set up in a 4-5-1 formation, leaving only Yang Yang up front for counterattacks. Three defensive midfielders played behind him, while both wingers dropped back deeply. Even so, China Team still easily lost possession during the match.
Spain's passing game was too polished and too well-coordinated. Much of the time, the Chinese players simply could not keep up with their passing, and could only retreat tightly into the thirty-meter area in front of their own goal, allowing their opponents to plan and organize attacks.
What Arie Haan had drawn upon was Spain's opening match of this World Cup, their 1–0 defeat to Switzerland. Hitzfeld's team had beaten Spain through disciplined defense and sharp counterattacks.
But it was obvious that Bosque had learned enough from that opening match, while China Team's defensive strength could not match Switzerland's.
In the thirty-seventh minute, Spain finally broke the deadlock.
Xabi Alonso won the ball in his own half and sent a long pass toward the left side of the attacking third. Torres, the Liverpool forward, received it and forced his way into the penalty area, breaking through one-on-one and facing the goal directly.
China's goalkeeper Wang Dalei decisively rushed off his line and threw himself at Torres's shot, deflecting it away and averting the danger. But the rebound