Rio de Janeiro, Jun 19: It took 11 games, three world cups and 64 years, but Chile has finally defeated its colonial master in the beautiful game and, in doing so, sent the reigning world champion Spain crashing out of Brazil 2014.
Predictions of a “kamikaze” style offensive Chile looked spot on in the opening minutes as “La Roja” talisman Alexis Sánchez created two genuine chances in the opening two minutes of the match. But, against all odds, it was the South Americans’ desperation and desire at the back which won this most crucial of games.
Coach Jorge Sampaoli may have swapped a four-man defensive line for three at the back on paper, but for large parts of the game wingers Eugenio Mena and Mauricio Isla fortified a backline which refused to be trumped by a Spanish side running rampant in the middle of the pitch.
The new addition to Chile’s defense, Francisco Silva, played a pivotal role in holding the the likes of Diego Costa, Pedro and Andrés Iniesta goalless, and his distribution was also excellent. Defensive partners Gary Medel and Gonzalo Jara also had a big night, but Chile owes its clean sheet to its inspirational captain and keeper Claudio Bravo, who ruled the goal area with authority, consistently putting himself in the right position, blocking when necessary and grabbing the ball when possible.
In contrast, his counterpart and opposing captain Iker Casillas was not decisive enough to prevent Chile’s second and winning goal. Sánchez fired in a free kick in a dangerous position on 43 minutes which went over the wall but should have been dealt with by the Spanish keeper, who instead palmed it directly ahead to a lurking Charles Aránguiz. The former go-to-man in Sampaoli’s illustrious Universidad de Chile team controlled the ball on the edge of the box and slotted home what would be the game’s decisive goal from the edge of the box.
A teammate from that three-time domestic and one-time Copa Sudamericana winning side, Eduardo Vargas, scored the first. As Chile fans are now well accustomed to, it was a Sánchez through ball which set up play, but Aránguiz provided a quality cross to “Edu,” who made a first touch which left Casillas stranded and tapped home in his signature easy-as-they-come style.
Faced with imminent elimination from the tournament which was meant to be the swan song of the greatest generation of footballers in the modern age, Spain held nothing back in looking for the goals which would salvage its campaign after a 5-1 humbling at the hands of the Netherlands.
But “La Roja,” playing the deepest defensive line that Chile fans have seen since Sampaoli took the reigns at the end of 2012, held firm, thumping the ball forward when necessary and taking on their more fancied opponents as if their lives depended on it.
Two games into this most exciting of world cups, the jury is still out as to whether Sampaoli’s consistent lineup changes at the back represent unparalleled tactical genius or a scramble to make up for the fact he has a large deficit of defensive quality. What is clear, however, is that his leadership, along with the likes of Sánchez, Bravo and a recovering but inspirational Arturo Vidal, are driving this squad to victories against more fancied opponents, or when the team is not delivering its swashbuckling promise against lesser squads.
Whatever the case, Chile has now survived the group of death, and will play for top spot Monday against a Dutch team which Australia made look defeatable and which will be without the inimitable forward presence of Robin Van Persie, thanks to two consecutive yellow cards.
The two teams will play for top spot in a group which no team envied, with number one playing number two in Group A, and vice versa. But Brazil’s place at number one in its group is no longer assured, thanks to a brave draw by the Mexicans, and Chile will not be thinking about who it will play next but, instead, stamping its authority on the world game by topping the toughest group in the Brazil 2014.
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