- Seamus Egan
- Thu, Jun 19 2014
Chile joined Holland in the last 16 of the World Cup 2014 after they beat Spain 2-0 in Rio on Wednesday night. The result also means that the defending champions are out of the competition. Goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz gave Jorge Sampouli's side the points.
Chile who were all in white on the night started the better and they came close to scoring in the first minute. After Jordi Alba's deflection nearly went into his own net Gonzalo Jara headed the corner which followed just wide.
Spain created their first real chance on the quarter hour mark. After Chile gave the ball away in midfield, Diego Costa who had another poor game at the World Cup, advanced towards the opposition's penalty area. His shot across goal was gathered by Iniesta. The Barcelona player's cross eventually broke to Xabi Alonso who tried to place the ball into the net but Claudio Bravo got down sharply to save.
A fine team move led to the opening goal for Chile in the 20th minute. After Alonso lost possession an excellent passing move involving four players ended with Alexis Sanchez passing to Charles Aranguiz whose cross picked out Eduardo Vargas. The Valencia striker controlled it on his left foot and finished with his right past Iker Casillas.
Diego Costa missed a great chance to level the scores in the 27th minute. Andres Iniesta, who was among Spain's better players tonight, took a quick free kick. David Silva headed it into the path of Costa who could only scuff his shot into the side netting from 6 yards out.
The 2010 winners were made to pay for that miss as things went from bad to worse for Spain just before half time. After Xabi Alonso committed a foul about 25 yards from goal. Alexis Sanchez stepped up to take the free kick. His shot was only parried away by Casillas straight into the path of Charles Aranguiz. Aranguiz struck a perfect right foot shot into the corner of the net to put the Spaniards on the brink of elimination.
Vicente Del Bosque's team had an excellent chance to get back into it early in the second half. Andres Inesta picked out Diego Costa with a sublime through ball. The Atletico Madrid striker looked certain to score but Mauricio Isla deflected his effort away.
Sergio Busquets missed a sitter soon afterwards. After Chile failed to properly clear a free kick Diego Costa's bicycle kick found Busquets who somehow side footed wide from inside the six yard box.
Chile should have gone three nil up midway through the second half. Eduardo Vargas was involved again on the counter attack before the ball reached Mauricio Isla at the back post. However the Juventus defender could only put it over the bar from six yards out.
Spain who were all in red nearly pulled one back in the 80th minute. Iniesta played it to substitute Santi Cazorla. Cazorla's shot from the edge of the area was heading to the corner of the net but was pushed away for a corner by the outstanding Bravo.
Iniesta and Carzola again were denied by fine saves from the Chile goalkeeper afterwards but following six minutes of injury time Chile's victory guaranteed that, along with Holland, their six points from their first two group games insured qualification for the last 16. Spain's defeat means that one of the pre-tournament favourites will not be in contention to claim football's ultimate prize this year.
Spain: Iker Casillas; Cesar Azpilicueta, Sergio Ramos, Javi Martinez, Jordi Alba; Xabi Alonso (Koke 46), Sergio Busquets; Pedro (Santi Cazorla 76), David Silva, Andres Iniesta; Diego Costa (Fernando Torres 64).
Subs not used: Pepe Reina, David De Gea, Gerard Pique, Raul Albiol, Juanfran, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata, David Villa.
Booked: Xabi Alonso (40).
Chile: Claudio Bravo; Mauricio Isla, Gary Medal, Gonzalo Jara, Eugenio Mara; Charles Aranguiz (Felipe Gutierrez 65), Marcelo Diaz, Francisco Silva, Arturo Vidal (Carlos Carmona 88); Alexis Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas (Jorge Valdivia 86).
Subs not used: Johnny Herrera, Cristopher Toselli, Jose Rojas, Jose Pedro Fuenzalida, Miiko Albornoz, Esteban Paredes, Jean Beausejour, Mauricio Pinilla, Fabian Orellana.
Booked: Arturo Vidal (26), Eugenio Mara (61).
Referee: Mark Geiger (United States).
Attendance: 74,101
Extratime.ie man of the match: Charles Aranguiz (Chile).
