My World Cup: Raul showed what he really can do

By Rafael Nadal Jun 20, 2006, 23:20 GMT

Raul of Spain celebrates his 1-1 draw against Tunisia during the Group H match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between Spain and Tunisia in Stuttgart, Germany, Monday 19 June 2006. EPA/RONALD WITTEK

London - To suffer and to win: Spain's victory over Tunisia on Monday was even more than that.

First of all, it is most important that we have made our mark at top level. In contrast to Spain's debut match, on Monday we demonstrated something more, something new: This team knows how to suffer, how to play while suffering. I believe this is very important.

We have developed strong pace and rhythm. We played the ball well throughout the match, we passed it rapidly and confidently, without giving up, suffering but knowing what to do. Even when we lost the ball, we continued to play the good football we started with the other day. I believe this is also very important.

We started the first half a little disorderly and in two opposing counterattacks we did not look good. But from the 20th minute onward, we started to get things together and imposed our game.

We may still be a little short on skill, but I don't think we played badly. We had plenty of opportunities in a match played with great intensity.

I believe coach Luis Aragones' line-up changes had the desired effect.

Raul has demonstrated once again who he is. He is always a player to be reckoned with. If he had to prove himself - and I don't believe he did - he proved himself. He took to the pitch fighting, put his stamp on the game and scored a goal that was as important for him as it was for the team. A great player!

In addition, we have a team now with many alternatives, which is also an important fact, because a team with many facets has more solutions to problems.

Cesc Fabregas, who had a great game, also impressed me. His assist on Fernando Torres's goal was fantastic. Joaquin and his fluid play on the right side also were impressive.

To sum up: I saw a team with a will to win, which continues to entertain us. I believe much of this is due to the trainer. He can motivate others, he has experience and a lot of character. This has helped us greatly.

This victory will continue to give hope, and is a credit to a Spanish team which everybody is beginning to admire.

The celebrations in Madrid's Plaza de Colon, which I have been watching on television, have also impressed me. I cannot remember having seen anything like it with any other Spanish team.

I see a country at one with the national team. We all appreciate entertainment and this team is very entertaining. From here I would like to congratulate the team and say to the players that I am very proud of them.

The next game is going to be important, although Spain is already through to the last 16, because in that game we will be able to see other players and a lot of other things.

I really enjoyed the second game and I look forward to seeing a different line-up and alternatives. We will perhaps discover new aspects of the team. It is also an important game for confidence and commitment to see if we really are better than before.

We need to go on the pitch convinced that we can and must win. This is very important, in my humble opinion, with regard to the confidence of the team.

And a word or two about the other teams:

Brazil is improving little by little. In their last game they were not allowed enough space to show their true potential, but when the game permitted, they showed their quality. Currently they are not fully convincing but they have fearsome players who want to win and who at any time are capable of scoring a goal.

France is a different matter. I saw a French team devoid of ideas. They seem to be stuck in a rut and they will have everything to do in their last game. We've seen glimpses of how then can play but the team, I believe, lacks vision and is playing without any clarity at all.

Argentina. Along with Spain, Argentina is my favourite team so far. They have a team that can play on both wings, very fast and with a lot of character. The team I saw the other day was not a football team, but a steam-roller. What a game!

Spain and Argentina have played the best football in this World Cup. Argentina are unpredictable, they showed this by not fielding Messi from the start of the game. For me, Messi is one of stars of the World Cup.

Ukraine deserves mention because they achieved a surprising result against Saudi Arabia, which showed that Spain beat a team that was nowhere near as weak as people would have us believe. A result which was equal in merit, if not greater, to Spain's first win.

(Rafael Nadal, exclusively for Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa)