Spain are gone and their glorious era comes to a close. Spain dominated possession and created some chances but Chile were far more creative and clinical when they had the football and made Spain pay in the first half with two goals.
Sergio Busquets somehow missed a sitter from in front and that sums up Spain’s tournament. This means that Spain and Australia are the first teams to be eliminated from the World Cup.
Holland and Chile will now play for first spot in this group, and more importantly they face each other in a game that will determine which team will face the host nation Brazil in the round of sixteen.
FINAL SCORE:
Chile 2
Spain 0
Spain‘s World Cup defence got off to the worst possible start against the Netherlands, and they will be keen to bounce back strongly against the dangerous Chile. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5:00am AEST.
It’s do or die for the Spanish now following their poor 5-1 defeat to Holland.
taking a first-half lead through a Xabi Alonso penalty, Spain hardly created any more chances despite dominating possession.
The Netherlands on the other hand were far more clinical when they had possession, hurting the Spanish with their speed and creativity on the counter.
Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie tore Spain apart in the second half, and another tough night awaits for the reigning World Cup champions against Chile.
Chile suffered a scare against Australia en route to a 3-1 victory which puts them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages.
Alexis Sanchez has the potential to hurt Spain on the counterattack given that the Spaniards have to make up a -4 goal deficit.
With this in mind, expect Chile to play on the break tonight. This is when they are at their best. Against the Socceroos, Chile were the team expected to come out and dominate possession, but they fell away badly after a good start as Australia threatened to get back into the contest.
Against Spain, Chile will sit comfortably at the back and wait for their opportunity to counter against a Spanish defence that lacks pace.
At the moment, Spain are guilty of passing too laterally. There is no speed to their build-up in attack, and the opposition defence often has plenty of time to regroup and man mark the likes of David Silva, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
With plenty on the line today, Spain can ill-afford to concede the first goal. If Chile score it, Spain will have to take risks and this will play right into Chile’s hands given how well they attack on the break.
While Spain should be expected to improve on their performance against the Dutch, the Chileans have the class and speed on the break to cause the upset.
Prediction: Chile 2-1
manikandan
Guest
super hero in messi only
Alan
Roar Guru
Spain are gone and their glorious era comes to a close. Spain dominated possession and created some chances but Chile were far more creative and clinical when they had the football and made Spain pay in the first half with two goals. Busquets somehow missed a sitter from in front and that sums up Spain's tournament. This means that Spain and Australia are the first teams to be eliminated from the World Cup. Holland and Chile now to play for first spot in this group, and more importantly they face each other in a game that will determine which team will face the host nation Brazil in the round of sixteen. Thanks for your company tonight and even though Australia is gone, please continue to join us on The Roar for more World Cup action Chile 2 Spain 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
That's it, Chile will progress, Spain is out This result also means that Australia is definitely out
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Chile 2 Spain 0
Alan
Roar Guru
96' - Spain continue to probe. A minute remains. A glorious era comes to an end. Spain and Australia to play a dead rubber. Socceroos with a great chance to beat the Spaniards. If there was a time to get them, this is it. Chile 2 Spain 0
Alan
Roar Guru
94' - Slow death for Spain here. Spain the first defending champions to lose their first two matches in the group stages. Bravo secures possession for Chile Chile 2 Spain 0
John
Guest
Might check cnn after this see if Spain is rioting...
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE SPAIN Ramos shoots from in front but his shot is blocked and just as well! Corner for Spain. Ball headed away. Alba goes for goal but his effort high and wide. Chile 2 Spain 0
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Spain had chances in the second half with Busquets in particular missing a huge chance that could have changed the game. That miss though sums up Spain's tournament. Ladies and gentlemen the reigning champions and Australia are the first teams eliminated from the World Cup! Chile 2 Spain 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
6 minutes of added time
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Cazorla hits the freekick and Bravo forced into another good save. Bravo with the goal kick. Chile are celebrating already! Chile 2 Spain 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
in a few minutes we'll know for sure that the reigning champions are out
Alan
Roar Guru
86' - Vargas off for Valdivia who scored against Australia in the first game. Ramos with the header and Bravo easily claims possession for Chile. Spain build from the back. Long ball forward. Even Spain are out of ideas Chile 2 Spain 0
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - Chile break forward now.Vidal well challenged by Ramos. Spain go forward again. Chile once again with the answers. Spain still with possession. Too slow yet again with the ball. Iniesta with a great shot that was curving into the top right corner but Bravo with a good save! CHANCE SPAIN Chile 2 Spain 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Certainly a quick death Stevo...or a slow death depending on how you look at it... Chile 2 Spain 0
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Corner whipped in again but Bravo superb claims possession for Chile. He falls awkwardly. Getting treatment now Chile 2 Spain 0
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Somebody said this was the group of death when referring to the Socceroos chance of progression. It's proving to be the group of death for Spain that's for sure.
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE SPAIN Cazorla with a first time strike from distance and Bravo forced into a good save down to his right. Corner for Spain. Chile 2 Spain 0
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Would you believe it Spain well on course to exit the group stage as reigning champions just like Italy did four years ago. Defending champions are having trouble making it out of the group stages let alone defending their title. Chile with possession. Silva wins the ball back. Poor passing from Chile. Spain as usual over complicate things in attack and Chile regroup Chile 2 Spain 0
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Iniesta with the freekick. Iniesta with the quick freekick but the flag is up anyway for offside. Bravo was alert though. Chile with the throw. Great sliding tackle from Mena to thwart another Spanish attack Chile 2 Spain 0