By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports
South Africa, Friday, June 25, 2010 — It was not a classic performance, but by hook or by crook, reigning European champions Spain managed to nick a crucial 2-1 victory over Chile in their last Group H game to avoid following in the footsteps of fellow giants Italy and France.
In a first half where Chile displayed all their flair in attack, it was Spain however who set the tone for the match with two goals in the first 37 minutes.
The first came on 24 minutes when Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo suffered a rush of blood to the head as he came out to clear an innocuous long ball out from Spain’s defence but only succeeded in kicking it into the path of David Villa. The Euro 2008 Golden Boot winner wasted no time in picking out the goal from all of 30 yards with a superb curling shot into the right corner of the goal.
13 minutes later, Chile were hit on the break once again as the Spaniards launched a superb counter-attacking move that saw Andres Iniesta finishing it off by placing his shot from inside the box into the bottom right corner of the goal.
The match was effectively ended for the Chileans as defensive midfielder Marco Estrada was sent off for a second bookable offence thereafter for a trip on Fernando Torres in the build-up to the goal.
Although the Chileans pulled one back two minutes after half time from substitute Rodrigo Millar’s deflected shot, the Spaniards managed to hold their nerve to pull off the narrow victory.
It was a victory that ensured they took top spot in Group H with six points while Chile slotted just behind in second with a less superior goal difference.
With a second-round clash against Portugal looming, the European champions will have to improve leaps and bounds if they want to go all the way to the final on July 11.
More News and Reactions on Chile vs Spain
Video highlights of the match
Guardian.co.uk: Spain survive – and steer clear of Brazil
| GROUP H | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPAIN  | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
CHILE  | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 |
SWITZERLAND  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
HONDURAS  | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
Leave A Comment