Spain grateful for small mercy

Positive thinking
Before the weekend, Aragonés had insisted Spain would nudge Serbia and Montenegro off top spot in Group 7. He seemed convinced their rivals, who hold a two-point advantage, would slip up either in Lithuania or in their final qualifier at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina, with Spain winning their remaining two games.

Desperate measures
The anxious wait will last at least another 90 minutes, however. It was a worried-looking Aragonés who watched his side labour against Belgium. Following an excruciating first 45 minutes, during which the hosts seemed the likelier scorers, the coach took the drastic step of replacing both wingers, Vicente Rodríguez and Joaquín Sánchez, in the hope of breaching the home defence through the centre.

Torres delivers
The gamble paid off. Substitute José Antonio Reyes supplied two crosses for Fernando Torres, subdued till then, to score twice in the space of three minutes, securing Spain's first away win in the section. It was an act of catharsis for the striker, who had been under pressure to start producing at international level - and for Aragonés, reward for persisting with the Club Atlético de Madrid talisman.

Realistic view
"I'm pleased we won and pleased for Torres," Aragonés said. But as some players hinted afterwards, these were probably the only things that appeased the 67-year-old. His sombre mood was clear in his reaction to the Serbo-Montenegrin success in Lithuania: "Being realistic, we are looking at the play-offs."

Honest appraisal
To avoid a two-legged tie in November, Spain must beat San Marino by at least four goals and hope Serbia and Montenegro do not win in Belgrade. Aragonés concedes it is an unlikely scenario. "My job entails criticising my players, then also encouraging them and taking care of them - but I cannot lie to them," he said.

Pair suspended
For the goal chase, Spain will be missing playmaker Xavi Hernández and right-back Míchel Salgado who are suspended. Aragonés will not worry unduly as he has Sergio González and Iván de la Peña as midfield cover, while Sergio Ramos can fill in at right-back. Captain Raúl González should overtake his friend and former colleague Fernando Hierro by winning his 90th cap.

Possible humiliation
Spain last failed to qualify for a World Cup in 1974, when it was a 16 rather than a 32-team event. Failure now would represent a great humiliation, although on the positive side, their last experience of a play-off, against Norway for UEFA EURO 2004™, ended happily.

Main task
When he was appointed just over 12 months ago, Aragonés said his main task after taking the team to the finals, was to create a group of players capable of competing with the very best within four to five years.

Psychological worries
If Spain are to achieve this greater goal, they must sharpen up in attack. "No side can afford to create over 40 chances, yet score only once," he admitted. "We must have more conviction in our abilities and play according to our virtues." The concern for Aragonés is that the hard work might only just be starting.