The Scott Ruscoe Column: Spain right to sack manager, but what a start to their World Cup

I think they were probably right. It was about saving face, making a bad event into a good one for them. I didn't know much about him but when Real Madrid come calling, he's obviously made that decision.

They announced it to avoid confusion i think, a few days before the start of the tournament, but while it's a difficult time for the players, they're among some of the best in the world and I'm sure they've had more difficult times than this.

The Spanish FA have signalled their intent and that's why they've gone the way they have. Real Madrid don't really care about anything but themselves and that's why they went out to get their man.

We've seen what it's like with players, and this is no different. They agree contracts with players before they agree a fee with the club, and there's no difference with managers it seems.

I thought in the Portugal Spain game, which was brilliant, the players didn't show any signs of it. I heard Sergio Ramos was peacemaker! That says everything, but there's too much experience in that squad to let a change of manager disrupt them. It's a very solid squad that have played hundreds of games together, both internationally and domestically.

I don't think it was going to be a problem, and Fernando Hierro is excellent spearhead for them to have.

We needed that game on Friday night, after watching Saudi Arabia and a couple of others were a bit tepid, but this was two teams going at it, counter-attacking football, end-to-end stuff and quality strikes at goal. You can't ask for more than that.

Both nacho's and Ronaldo's goals were superb. I can't believe it was Ronaldo's first success in 45 free-kick attempts and it was a great strike with difficult technique.

But then nacho's was so hard to score, also with difficult technique, but as soon as nacho scored it, he must have known it was going in. Two great goals in a fantastic game for the World Cup.