If Spain are to win the World Cup it must do so against the discomfiting statistic that losing opening matches are always fatal to those hopes.
But even if they reach the finals they will have to contend with yet another obstacle- Howard Webb who is officiating that match. Word is that the Spanish media are none too pleased with some of his decisions in the Switzerland match.

• Gelson Fernandes was in an offside position when he got the ball on a deflection from Derdiyok who was already on his way down with Pique just behind him. The resulting goal should have been annulled.

• Phillipe Senderos escaped two penalties when he clipped David Silva’s ankle and on another occasion he pushes down David Villa after Sergio Ramos chips the ball into the box.

• Stephan Grichting should have received a red card for grabbing Iniesta as the last defender in front of goal.

Here is the video clip. You decide.