Another day, another match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup as Spain takes on Chile in the second round of games of Group B. Chile comes with a victory against Australia while Spain comes to the match with a humiliating 5-1 loss against Netherlands. There was one change in Spain’s line up as Javi Martinez replaces Gerard Pique in the defensive line. Gerard Pique didn’t have such a great game against the Dutch so this change is an attempt to strengthen the back four.
The match started with a rush for both sides. Spain and Chile were both pressuring each other. Spain as usual worked on maintaining possession while Chile pressured heavily. Both sides came close to scoring but didn’t finish. Spain looks improved from their last match against the Dutch. Alexis Sanchez was causing a little havoc for the Spanish back line with his speed and dangerous shots. The Chilean pressure worked well since Eduardo Vargas managed to score on the 20th minute. Spain began to look like how they were playing against Netherlands, terrible. Spain was losing too many balls in the midfield. Chile has been showing that can and will compete for the cup.
Some say that Spain has the champions curse, which ever nation wins a world cup, the will play terrible in the next one. That happened to Italy as they won the 2006 FIFA World Cup and did not perform well during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Is it the champion’s curse that has plagued Spain?
Chile used their quick players to cause havoc for the Spanish side. Arturo Vidal received the first yellow card of the match for Chile on the 26th minute. Xabi Alonso was cautioned for a dangerous foul on the 40th minute. Charles Aranguiz netted the second goal for Chile on the 43rd minute with a beautiful outside foot shot to trick Iker Casillas. The scored at half time remained at 2-0 in favor of Chile.
Koke makes his world cup debut as he is subbed on the 46th minute to replace Xabi Alonso in the midfield. Diego Costa came close with a chance to score from a great pass from Iniesta but his shot was deflected from a defender. Spain kept pressuring which led to a chance for Spain but Sergio Bousquets didn’t manage to hit the ball right which resulted in a miss right in from of the goal. Eugenio Mena received the second yellow card for Chile on the 61st minute. A sub for Spain and Chile was made on the 64th minute as Fernando Torres replaced Diego Costa while Felipe Gutierrez replaced Charles Aranquiz.
Eduardo Vargas was subbed off in the 84th minute for Jorge Valdivia. Four minutes later Arturo Vidal was replaced by Carlos Carmona in order to prevent Vidal from receiving a second yellow card which would result in him missing their next match against Netherlands. Spain couldn’t get their act together. They were losing too many balls in the midfield. It seemed that Spain had no chemistry throughout their team. Spain isn’t the same as they were a few years ago. Spain is now the second team to be eliminated from entering the round of 16. Netherlands eliminated Australia earlier today. What does this loss mean for Spain?
Photo Credit: AP