Chile came to Brazil with the daunting prospect of facing both World Cup finalists in their group. Here they are after two games with their qualification to the second round secure and the world champions deposed. Their 2-0 win over Spain betrayed no nerves. Instead we had another rampant, assured demonstration of the type of football which will surely mark la Roja out as potential World Cup winners.
A draw would probably have done Chile in order to progress at the
expense of Spain but their style doesn't readily lend itself to
conservatism. Their game is not about keeping the opposition out, it's
about taking the game to them. That is exactly how this high-stakes
encounter played out. Chile, typically for them, burst into life right
from the off.
They could have been ahead in the opening moments. Eduardo Vargas and
Gonzalo Jara both went close before the Valencia forward poked the
South Americans into a 20th-minute lead. "We will induce errors," was
coach Jorge Sampaoli's battle cry last week before the tournament
started. So it proved. Alexis shook down Xabi Alonso for possession on
half-way. Arturo Vidal and the excellent Charles Aranguiz were involved
before Vargas side-stepped Iker Casillas and prodded home. It was a
summary of the football Sampaoli demands from his men.
"I don't think anything will make us lose intensity," coach Jorge
Sampaoli said last week. "It is necessary to stand up against any
opponent we have. If we played differently, we'd lose our identity."
There
is no chance Chile were ever going to play cautiously and eke out a
point. That would be a betrayal of the coach's methods which he has
worked hard to restore. Chile have played like this before. This type of
football was an identifiable Chilean quality under Marcelo Bielsa. They
lost their way to an extent under his replacement Claudio Borghi but
Sampaoli, a devoted student of Bielsa, has instilled those
characteristics all over again.
Tempo is now Sampaoli's trademark. He is not a man to compromise his
principles. Whether it's Australia or Spain, their unrelenting rhythm
will not be altered. "We need players who are very nimble and quick to
break through defences," Sampaoli said last week. Vidal is working his
way back to full fitness and approached his best levels against the
Spaniards. In Alexis they have a centre forward to rival or even surpass
their legends Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas.
Marcelo Diaz, in midfield, is the embodiment of the coach's ideals. He
never plays a pass Sampaoli wouldn't want him to. Diaz remains totally
committed to Sampaoli's style. It was ingrained on him and many of his
international colleagues during their days together at Universidad de
Chile, where they won national and continental titles. Sampaoli knows
the players well and commands loyalty. Also on display was Sampaoli's
tactical flexibility. Jorge Valdivia may be the darling of the Chile
support but the Argentinian had no problem dropping him in favour of
Francisco Silva which gave Chile an added defensive reinforcement.
At times they counted on it. There was the
Spain pressure, which was to be expected from World Cup holders clinging
on for dear life but beyond the high-press and attacking overloads,
Chile have also come to rely upon their captain Claudio Bravo in goal.
His save from Xabi Alonso in the first half was vital while a
second-half stop from Andres Iniesta will take some beating at these
finals. Another chance missed by Sergio Busquets just about summed up
Spain's impotence.
Spain are out. There can be no complaints. There was nothing hard to
take about this defeat. They were simply overwhelmed by a superior
opponent who are on the verge of their own great historical moment, not
like Spain who have reached the end of theirs. This was not only the
ending of an era but it was the passing of a baton from a team who once
dominated all they surveyed to a new generation of fearless men in red.
Credits: Goal
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