WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : TODAY’S GAMES AT A GLANCE
GROUP C at Soldier Field, Chicago
Bolivia vs. Spain
* TIME: 1 p.m. PDT
* TV: ESPN2, Univision
(ESPN, 9:30 p.m.)
* KEY MATCHUPS: How about Bolivia versus FIFA? The team has failed to score (1-0 loss to Germany, 0-0 tie with South Korea) and, just as important, failed to stay out of trouble. Already without star forward Marco Antonio Etcheverry, who was slapped with a two-game suspension against Germany in the opener, Bolivia lost two midfielders against South Korea. Luis Cristaldo was shown the door after two yellow cards and Julio Baldivieso was ejected in the 83rd minute. This does not bode well for Bolivia’s fast-break attack, which most often breaks down near the opponent’s goal. Forward Erwin Sanchez has a big shot. It won’t help that Bolivia will have to face Spain’s top goalkeeper, Andoni Zubizarreta, who was solid in Spain’s 1-1 tie versus Germany after sitting out the first game because a suspension incurred in a qualifying match. Spain added some spice against Germany by replacing Julen Guerrero in the starting lineup with midfielder Josep Guardiola, who set up Spain’s goal.
* OUTLOOK: Spain blew a 2-0 lead to South Korea in its opener, but some of the sting was relieved by equalizing against Germany. Despite some sluggishness, Spain is on its way to advancing to the second round, so long as it takes care of business today. With the loss of manpower, Bolivia would need a tremendous performance to manage so much as a tie.
* OUTCOME: Unless the Bolivians can sneak Coach Xavier Azkargorta and his gargantuan mustache on the field to play sweeper, hope appears lost. Spain would be expected to handle a Bolivian team at full strength. That not being the case, Spain should win by two or more goals, although it needs only a tie to advance as long as Germany, as expected, defeats South Korea.
