Chile route defending champions Spain
Chile route defending champions Spain
Group Match
Group B, Match 4
World Cup holders Spain crashed out of the tournament after they were stunned 2-0 by a brilliant Chile side on Wednesday night, Goal.com reports.
After a 5-1 hammering against the Netherlands in their opening Group B clash, Vicente del Bosque's side needed an immediate response, but fell short in another lacklustre showing.
Having fallen behind to Eduardo Vargas' well-taken 20th-minute finish and been pushed to the brink by a second from Charles Aranguiz - helped by another Iker Casillas error - a comeback was never likely.
Del Bosque dropped Barcelona duo Gerard Pique and Xavi following the humiliation against the Dutch, but the change in personnel made little difference as they capitulated once again.
Busquets should probably have put Spain back into the contest early in the second half, but he inexplicably missed the target from close range, and from then on Spain lacked any real invention.
Victory for Chile means that their final group game against the Netherlands will determine who finishes top with both now through to the last 16, while Spain face Australia with nothing left to play for before heading home in despair.
The South Americans looked far brighter in the early exchanges and went close twice inside the first three minutes, as Vargas saw a poked effort deflected agonisingly wide, before Gonzalo Jara headed just off target.
Despite that, Spain gradually appeared to grow into the contest, only to find themselves behind in the 20th minute.
After latching on to Alexis Sanchez's throughball, Aranguiz squared to Vargas, who cleverly side-stepped Casillas before prodding the ball into an empty net.
The world champions almost restored parity eight minutes later, only for Diego Costa to find the side netting after pouncing on David Silva's headed pass.
And Chile soon made the most of their opponents' incompetence again to forge a two-goal lead after 43 minutes.
Aranguiz was at the centre of things once more, but it was Casillas who was the villain yet again. The Real Madrid keeper bizarrely opted to punch a Sanchez free-kick back out into a crowded area when the ball could easily have been caught.
With the defensive wall slow to react, Aranguiz controlled with a deft touch before prodding home past the stranded goalkeeper to put Spain on the brink.
The reigning world and European champions started the second period with renewed determination and they almost pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute, only for Busquets to skew a shot wide from close range after reaching Costa's overhead kick.
Del Bosque's men exerted more control over possession than in the first half, but they still struggled to get Costa into dangerous positions, with the Atletico Madrid forward soon substituted to a chorus of jeers.
Chile should have put the match beyond all doubt in the 68th minute when Mauricio Isla met Eugenio Mena's low cross at the back post, but the Juventus man sliced over, handing Spain a lifeline.
With Fernando Torres on in place of Costa and Santi Cazorla also thrown into the fray, the Spaniards desperately poured men forward in the closing stages and a long-range Andres Iniesta effort forced Claudio Bravo into an acrobatic save.
But it was not enough, as the South Americans held on to their clean sheet and booked their place in the second round.
Spain, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a world title defence that has ended before it even begun - with Del Bosque and his men now assessing just where they go from here.
Man of the Match: E Vargas (CHI)
Match Commentary - as it happened
FULL TIME! SPAIN ARE OUT OF THE WORLD CUP!
90` + 4` Silva receives the ball to feet around 30 yards out and looks for the run of Torres with a chipped pass over the top of the defence, but there was just too much on it and Bravo comes out to claim.
90` + 2` Sergio Ramos should score!! Spain get Chile camped in their own half through a of couple of corner kicks and the second falls to the Real Madrid man at the back post, who fails to get a decent connection on the ball! Chile block then clear for another corner!
90` Well, I have no idea where the referee has got this from, but he had indicated SIX minutes of added time. Lucky for Chile that Spain don't really look like scoring, but they'll still want to hear the final whistle!
88` Substitution: Arturo Vidal out, Carlos Carmona in.
88` Cazorlaaaa! Unlucky! The substitute is the man tasked with taking the set-piece and he whips the free kick towards the bottom corner, but again it is a relatively routine save for Bravo, who tips the ball by the post.
86` Torres looks to stretch his legs with a run through the middle but is devilishly tripped by Silva on his way through to goal. Free kick to Spain in a decent position in the final third. Surely that's a booking, ref?!
85` Substitution: Eduardo Vargas out, J. Valdivia in.
84` Chile make their second change of the match as Eduardo Vargas comes off to be replaced by Jorge Valdivia, who netted in the opening match against Australia.
82` Spain looks utterly and completely out of juice here. In the last couple of minutes the passing has been lackadaisical and lazy, which has allowed Chile to easily come in and make a couple of easy tackles. We won't have a miracle comeback tonight, folks.
80` Saaaave by Bravo! Some nice interplay on the edge of the box from Spain sees the ball come to the feet of Cazorla, who whips a shot towards the bottom corner with a left-footed strike, but Bravo gets across goal to make a comfortable save round the post.
78` Casillas lobs the ball up top and Torres does well to leap high into the air and win the flick on for Silva. The Chelsea man receives the ball back and then looks to return the favour with a dinked pass into the box, but any potential attack fizzles out when Diaz heads back to Bravo.
76` Substitution: Pedro out, Santi Cazorla in.
76` Vicente del Bosque makes his second change of the match as Santi Cazorla is introduced in place of Pedro. The Arsenal man has just under 15 minutes of normal time to contribute to a miracle comeback here.
74` Sergio Ramos is a lucky, lucky boy here! The Madrid man is wiley in they fact that he clears the ball but then rakes his studs down the leg of Gutierrez. If the referee sees that he's probably off. That's the last thing Spain need is for Ramos to lose his head.
72` Dear, oh dear. The Chile fans are rubbing salt in the wounds of their Spanish counterparts by shouting 'OLE!' whenever a pass is completed by the South American side. Perhaps every so slightly premature, but they are having a hell of a party in the stands.
70` Busquets loses the ball in the final third and then Chile counterattack at pace! Martinez looks to slide in on Alexis Sanchez but the Barca man does him for pace before running forward and dinking a cross to the back post. Vargas is just on the stretch though, and heads wide from 12 yards!
68` ISLAAAA!!! THAT WAS ALMOST GAME OVER!! Mena bursts up the left channel before dragging a cross-come-shot along the six yard box! His team-mate meets the ball at the back post but can only slide a strike over the bar on the stretch!
66` That's absolutely woeful from Koke. Busquets and Iniesta keep the ball intelligently in the middle of the park before the ball comes to the substitute, who looks for Alba with a diagonal pass but instead lumps the it straight out the park.
64` Substitution: C. Aránguiz out, F. Gutiérrez in.
64` Substitution: Diego Costa out, Fernando Torres in.
64` That will be Diego Costa's last action of the match as he comes off to be replaced by Fernando Torres up top for Spain. Chile make a change too as Aranguiz succumbs to his injury and is substituted for Felipe Gutierrez.
62` David Silva picks up a loose ball in the centre of the park and then finds Costa with a pass inside. The Brazilian-born striker then looks to go on a signature powerful run through the middle, but is easily dispossessed by the strong challenge of Diaz. Sums up the night of the Atletico Madrid man.
61` Yellow Card Eugenio Mena
58` Iniesta glides down the left again and then reverts back before sliding a pass to Alba. The Barca man initially breaks down the attack after a loose pass to Silva but he's bailed out by Sergio Ramos, who makes an important challenge to retain the ball for Spain.
57` Fair play to Arganguiz, he's not given up on his World Cup dream yet, and will try and play through the pain of that challenge. Let's see how he gets on!
56` Some worrying scenes for Chile at the moment as Aranguiz is currently down after going down under the challenge of Koke. It was a decent challenge from the substitute, but the Chilean looks as if he wont be able to continue here, and leaves the pitch on a stretcher.
54` Already much, much better by Spain. Koke has been the catalyst for them to move the ball at a much quicker pace in the middle of the park, and they've already benefit through a couple of good chances and one glorious chance inside the box.
52` MISS OF THE WORLD CUP BY BUSQUETS!! Sergio Ramos whips a free kick towards goal and Bravo daftly punches back into the danger area. Diego Costa brilliantly hits a bicycle kick to the back post and all the Barca man has to do is tap it in, but slices his attempt wide! Incredible!
50` Iniesta gets beyond the defence down the left-hand side and cuts back on his right foot before driving a pass to the feet of Koke, who looks to fizz an incisive pass to the feet of Silva inside the box, but he Man City man just wasn't on the same wave length, and it runs out for a goal kick.
48` Diego Costa should do much better! The Atletico man receives the ball to feet inside he box but lingers on the ball to long and allows the Chilean defence to get the block on his shot! Spain corner!
47` Koke has only been on the park two minutes but he's probably already completed more passes to team-mates than Xabi Alonso did in the first 45. The Real Madrid man really did have a woeful first period.
46` Substitution: Xabi Alonso out, Koke in.
Half time in the Maracana. The biggest story over the World Cup so far is unfolding in front of our eyes as at the moment the champions are on their way out of the competition in the group stage. Chile currently lead Vicente del Bosque's men 2-0 thanks to terrific goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz. The South American side have been aggressive from the get-go, and look good value for their lead. We are going to have to see a monumental effort from Spain in the next 45 minutes if they are going to save their World Cup.
45` Two minutes of added time here, and they need to be very careful otherwise they are going to be three down before the break! Xabi Alonso's passing has been absolutely suicidal in the past couple of minutes!
43` Goal C. Aránguiz
GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL FOR CHILE!! AND IT'S ARANGUIZ!!! Alexis Sanchez whips a free kick towards goal and Casillas makes another howler by punching straight into the path of the Sport Club Internacional man, who takes an assured touch before poking a strike into the top corner! Incredible celebrations in the Maracana! 2-0 Chile!
41` Definite signs of frustration creeping into the Spain camp now. Xabi Alonso is the first Spaniard to go into the book as he scythes down Isla with an extremely poor challenge inside his own half. It's a deserved yellow, and he'll now have to be careful for the rest of the match.
40` Yellow Card Xabi Alonso
39` The Barca man now looks to latch on to a diagonal pass down the right towards the right corner flag, but a poor touch sees the ball run under his foot to go out for a goal kick. The Spaniard then displays his frustration by kicking the ball off the advertising board.
37` Pedro looks to stretch his legs on the right flank and shows a turn of pace to skip past Mena, but is then unceremoniously taken out by the Chile wing-back, who is lucky to escape a yellow card. Pedro shares this view and brandishes an imaginary card in the face of the ref. Never nice to see, that.
35` Spain make their way up the park through a series of short, stabbing passes that hit their mark with ease. Alba glides down the left wing and looks for Costa with a speculative cross into the box, but the Chile defence easily clear.
33` Now it's Chile who are brave in their pressing as they move their attacking line up the park to put pressure on Martinez and Sergio Ramos, who is forced to go back to Casillas.
31` David Silva gets the opportunity to get some service into the box with a free kick from the right. He dinks the ball into the area just outside the six yard box and Medel powers out a brilliant header despite being under massive pressure from Pedro. Really good defending there!
30` Iniesta comes out to the inside right channel as he attempts to see more of the ball. He collects the ball to feet, fizzes a pass into the feet of Silva, before looking for the return. The pass back from the former Valencia man is not up to scratch, which allows Jara to stick out a leg to reclaim the ball.
28` DIEGO COSTA MISSES AT THE FRONT POST! Spain turn up the tempo slightly on the left-hand side and the ball eventually comes to Silva who cleverly heads into the path of his team-mate. The Atletico Madrid striker looks to hit it early but can't get a good connection and smashes his strike into the side-netting!
26` Yellow Card Arturo Vidal
26` Pedro gallops down the right-hand side to utilise the space and attempts to dribble past Mena, but the wing-back remains solid to see the ball comfortably out for a goal kick. Sums up the start from Spain really!
24` That goal will do wonders for the confidence of the Chileans; not like they needed much of a boost! Yet again Spain just are not looking themselves, with not even their passing being on target most of the time.
22` Xabi Alonsoooooo!!! The Real Madrid man looks to atone for his previous error as he latches on to a knockdown from Diego Costa, but his technique is awful as he slices a strike from the edge of the box way over the bar!
20` Assist C. Aránguiz
20` Goal Eduardo Vargas
17` It looks like Busquets and Javi Martinez have been given a license to swap positions whenever one is more advanced than the other. The Bayern man started at centre half, but is being continuously covered by his compatriot whenever he looks to burst out of defence.
15` Saaaaaaave by Bravo!!! Diego Costa initially goes on a marauding run through the middle and scuffs a shot to the back post. The ball eventually breaks kindly to Xabi Alonso who smashes a close-range strike at goal from about five yards, but the Chilean remains big to make the block!
13` That's unlucky from Silva. Some neat interplay in the middle of the park sees the ball come to the Man City man, who looks to drill a pass through the centre of the Chile defence for Diego Costa, but Diaz was on hand to make an excellent interception.
11` It took a little while, but Spain are starting to assert themselves in the central areas through their possession-based passing. Xabi Alonso is at the heart, and popping the ball around at will. Chile just having a little breather.
10` Sergio Ramos gets let off the hook massively as he collects the ball at the back and attempts to hit a diagonal pass down the right wing for Pedro, but he fluffs it and puts it right to the feet of Mena. Luckily for the Spaniard, the resulting touch from the wing-back wasn't up to scratch.
9`Great goalkeeping by Bravo! Iniesta whips a deep free kick to the back post and Sergio Ramos looks poised to head towards the top corner, but he is thwarted by the Chile goalkeeper, who commandingly comes off his line to punch out of the box!
7`Iniesta has received the ball to feet a couple of times now but he's been given a taste of his own medicine in that Chile have hunted him down almost instantly to snatch the ball away. Neither occasion has seen him come out of top.
5`After a fairly breathless opening five minutes it looks like Chile who've settled the better here. Their five-man midfield is just looking dominant in the middle of the park at the moment, but once again Spain press and press in an attempt to steal possession.
4`David Silva collects the ball in the no.10 position for the first time in the match and bursts forward through the middle before attempting a one-two with Pedro, who is lingering on the outside of the box. It doesn't come off, and Chile intercept.
3`Chile had an an excellent first couple of minutes there but we've already seen Spain pressing massively high up the park. The back three of the South American side have been hounded down in the past few moments, but just manage to scramble the ball up the park.
2`Spain looking dodgy in the opening minute here! Alexis Sanchez bursts into the area and the ball breaks to Vargas, who attempts to get a shot away! His strike cannons off the foot of Martinez and scampers by the post for a Chile corner!
Chile (3-5-2): Bravo; Silva, Jara, Medel; Isla, Diaz, Vidal, Aranguiz, Mena; Alexis Sanchez, Vargas.
Spain (4-3-3): Casillas; Azpilicueta, Martinez, Sergio Ramos, Alba; Iniesta, Busquets, Xabi Alonso; Silva, Diego Costa, Pedro.
Commentary & Report: Goal dot com