Developers World Championship: Match Report - Brazil v Spain (Last 16)
Leds! (Brazil) vs Ozone (Spain)
This fixture was many pundits’ vision of the Final. Kaká v Villa. Luís Fabiano v Torres. Lúcio v Piqué. South American flair v southern European style.
Unfortunately for the followers of both these iOS-loving nations, these assembled ‘experts’ were, of course, referring to Sepp’s Social over in South Africa.
In Bath, England, we were all looking forward to tonight’s strictly-Latin app-off between the golden samba and the crimson flamenco.
The five-times soccer world champions, Brazil had coasted through the group stage. Unbeaten in three matches and bettered only by Finland in total number of goals scored after the round robins, the Copacabana beach boys were ready to exhibit their colourful wares again.
The Seleção’s coach sagely picked his most popular title, Leds! for this Last 16 contest, confident that the word puzzling phenomenon from MusiGames could turn the Spanish lights off once and for all.
By contrast, current European footy champions, Spain, hadn’t navigated their way through Group H quite as effortlessly.
Relying on goal difference with seconds to play is never advisable, particularly for those with a dicky heart, yet Spain’s fate was eventually decided by a single strike.
To the anguish of (maybe) millions of Swiss, the Spaniards progressed in the closest encounter since Richard Dreyfuss boarded the Mothership.
Hoping to be in the Ozone this evening for the Europeans was the puzzle-cum-platformer from impressive start-up Geardome.
The lights dimmed, the music began, the contest to face Japan in the quarters had begun. Let's dance!
Kick Off: 7.30pm, 28th June
The critical view: Contrary to both the formbook and the pre-match analysis in the TV studios, Spain made all the running in the opening stages of this crucial match.
Demonstrating a better all-round audio and visual experience, Ozone’s extra layers of clothing were clearly proving beneficial against the unseasonably harsh Bath winds.
Understandably, since it was supposed to be British summer time, the Brazilian backroom staff hadn’t packed any thermals for the occasion. The players on show had to pirouette and swivel through all of Leds!'s 90 levels just to warm up, while the substitutes sat covered in blankets and tea towels.
Taking advantage of Leds!'s partially obscured vision in the blustery, neon-soaked conditions, Spain’s combative attacking midfielder patiently circled the opposition sweeper, biding his time before lunging forward. One-on-one 15 yards from goal, Geardome’s smooth mover sidestepped the on-rushing Brazilian ‘keeper and the first points were on the board.
Spain’s moustachioed coach heaped further pressure on the Samba boys by calling attention to his Silver Award on 41 minutes. With the Brazilians for once missing a beat with their passing, the Iberian’s master dribbler intercepted the ball and set off on a mazy run, evading three defenders in the process.
Careering towards the byline, the elusive Spaniard floated a teasing cross to the penalty spot, which his strike partner took in stride before stamping his mark on the match as he slapped one into the roof of the net with a flourish.
Ay, caramba!
Half time: Brazil 0 – 2 Spain The Fans’ 45: Never normally missing an opportunity to back their heroes, the Brazilian faithful was once more out in force today in south west England. And, boy, did they make a racket.Whistles, horns, vuvuzelas, and cowbells created a cacophony of sound that reverberated around the hallowed arena and, in particular, the bedazzled heads of the Spaniards.
The noise combined with Leds!'s 700 sideways-scrolling garish banners and signs were deeply off-putting to the Spanish defence, who lost their flow and literally bowed under the pressure.
Brazil duly accepted the invitation and Luís Fabiano's iOS counterpart breathed new life into the Latin Americans thanks to a razor-sharp finish after some fancy footwork on the flank.
Capitalising on the newfound uncertainty in Ozone's backline, the Seleção’s coach replaced five of its original themes.
MusiGames' charges had well and truly found their rhythm now and showcased some breathtaking moves to thrill the audience as they created an array of great chances. Yet it seemed as though the Lord of the dance wasn't with them this night with shots finding the stands, woodwork, or more often falling into the steady hands of the Spanish 'keeper.
Then, in the third minute of allotted injury-time, one of the super subs made himself an instant digital legend by sashaying in at the far post to bundle home the equaliser from a deflected cross.
The players embraced, the fans went wild, and yellow and blue streamers cascaded forth onto the pitch as the final whistle blew - this fiesta of football looked set to continue a little while longer yet.
Full time: Brazil 2 – 2 Spain
Extra Time: Once pandemonium had been restored (after delirium had died down), the referee restarted the match.
Having witnessed the disintegration of their first half lead, Spain's management team dished out some strong words during the interval, which appeared to be having the desired effect.
With the second half Samba disrupted by the full time break, the atmosphere had switched to a more ambient, moody soundtrack, helping Ozone to establish a more methodical, rhythm of its own.
Teasing the Brazilians with their controlled passing, the Spaniards were literally playing cat and mouse (or at least toreador and bull) with their opponents. Yet whilst the Leds! were visibly dimming as they chased the ball, there was still no sign of the killer pass.
At least not until the 118 minute. With the prospect of penalties looming large, the Spaniards finally made their move. Utilising a neat offline level editor to wrong-foot the fullback, the Geardrome winger made space for a perfect inviting cross that beat the keeper and was duly speared home at the far post.
As the final whistle blew, Leds! had been extinguished and the South Americans were destined to be flying down to Rio rather sooner than they'd hoped. They certainly hadn't disappointed anyone, though, and as the fans gave them a suitably sensual send-off, it was clear that the tournament would be poorer for their absence.
Not that the Spanish were sad to see them go, of course, with Ozone propelled to the giddy heights of the quarter finals, the Iberians began to believe this could be their year.
A.e.t: Brazil 2 - 3 Spain Final Group Tables - Fixtures & Voting - SquadsConfused? Click here to go to the iPhone Game Developers World Championship info page.
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