Chile sends the defending champions packing

From being the champions in 2010 to the first team being ousted in the World Cup 2014- what a fall!-Perhaps the most unexpected one but a real one. Chile, after the Dutchmen, showed that it’s time to pay goodbye to their style of football and it’s time that it’s time for a change. The 2-0 win for Chile now leaves the defending champions lagging at the bottom of the group B, even below Australia.

The match began with the scare of early elimination looming large over the Spanish players. They had to at least end the match on a draw if a win was not possible. They began in the right tempo as they would have wanted to but as the match progressed they lost the cutting edge and Chile slowly began establishing a stronghold over Spain. And in the 20^th minute a miss-pass from Xabi Alonso followed by a burst of Chile players saw the South Americans taking the lead through Vargas.

Spain began to show the kind of urgency everyone had expected from and pulled off few good saves from the Chilean keeper. Just before Spain was dealt with a major blow when Charles Aranguiz doubled the lead for Chile after Casillas weakly fisted a free-kick from Arturo Vidal. The first half ended with Spain trailing 2-0 with only three quarters of an hour left to revive their disastrous campaign.

Spain began the second half in the manner they should. In the 53^rd minute Pedro squandered away probably the easiest chance on the night which could have turned the game on its head. The match went ahead and Spain gradually began to look out of sorts more than ever. Del Bosque brought on Koke, Fernando Torres and Santi Cazorla but it was too late as Chile looked determined not to concede one.

In fact Spain might consider them lucky for they did not concede while going for all out attack. As the final whistle went off, it was curtains for Spain and they became the first team to be eliminated in the ongoing tournament, an incident few would have seen in wildest of their nightmares.

Also with Chile’s win, Australia bowed out of the tournament despite playing good football. Chile having lesser goal difference is currently in the 2^nd spot in the table. On Monday they will face Netherlands which will decide the group winners and whom they will face in the next round.

• About the Author

About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.