MADRID—The two favorites of Group H, Spain and Chile, met expectations with an exciting game, until the last few minutes when both teams were comfortable with the result.
They’ve both guaranteed their place in the next phase. Spain came out with confidence on the field, but Chilean pressure quickly cut across the passing line between the defense and the Spanish midfield. Chile aptly attacked and put pressure on the ball, causing the Spanish defense to not link well with their strikers.
A long ball down the left wing led to first Spanish goal in the 24th minute. The Chilean goalkeeper unwisely came way out of his area to prevent “El Niño” Fernando Torres from reaching the ball, but his clearance came to David Villa, who fired home a left footer from about 40 yards.
With this goal, the new FC Barcelona star became the Spanish player with most World Cup goals. Villa is also this World Cup’s leading scorer along with Argentine Gonzalo Higuain with three goals.
Spain felt safe in their game, culminating with its second goal just over 10 minutes later. The Chilean defense coughed up the ball and after a couple of nice passes, the ball was side-footed into the net by Andres Iniesta.
On the play, Chilean Marco Estrada was expelled, after a minor foul on Torres, leaving Chile with 10 players. Estrada had picked up his second yellow card on the play, in what seemed to be a harsh decision.
Spain ended the first half in style, at the rhythm of “Olés” from the stands.
The second half began with a goal from Chile, who caught a sleepy Spanish team unaware. “El Chino” Rodrigo Villar’s shot from the edge of the area was tipped by the
Spanish defender Gerard Pique, and Casillas could do nothing to stop it.
In the 54th minute Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, brought on Cesc Fabregas in place of Torres, with the aim of having more control in the midfield.
From then until the end of the match Spain passed it around, while Chile remained in its area to defend the result, hoping the game between Honduras and Switzerland would end in a draw. And it did end 0–0.
Spain will face Portugal in the round of 16 on Tuesday, while Chile will face Brazil on Monday. In the first comments after the match David Villa, stated, “We should not have suffered so much. Suffering makes victories happier.”
