It took six days to finally get to see Spain but it was well worth the wait. It might be too early and too daft to describe them as the new Brazil, but if Ronaldinho and Co had played anything like that against Croatia on Tuesday, not to mention scoring a goal as brilliant as Fernando Torres' last, the football world would be going into rhapsodies.
Spain pushed the ball around beautifully, even before Ukraine were somewhat harshly reduced to 10 men. They have dropped the old guard and replaced it with bright young players from relatively unglamorous clubs such as Villareal and Valencia, and for once they don't look like being the usual tournament flops. In fact they looked more confident, adventurous and up for it than any team in the competition so far, with the possible exception of Germany, and they can bring on subs of the quality of Fabregas, Reyes and Raul. They could meet France, and having watched the old men in action - if that is what it was - against Switzerland, that game could be very interesting.
Ukraine were unlucky to be on the end of such a hiding, they contributed a lot to the game and made a few clear chances, but Shevchenko was quiet and only Andriy Voronin impressed. Partly because he was one of two Ukraine players rivalling Argentina in the long hair department. Ukraine are much hairier than they used to be, but like Samson in reverse, not as strong.
Paul Wilson is the Observer's chief football writer
