World Cup: Chile vs Spain Preview

TALENT

Chile has exceeded many fans expectations but not mine as they have played exactly how I had hoped and saw throughout qualifying with a very opportunistic offense and an airtight defense. They take on Spain, the European champion, who must get a victory or could face an embarrassing exit from the World Cup if Switzerland defeats Honduras in Group H.

Chile aggressive attacking play has netted their squad eight yellow cards so far. Chile will be relying on the forward duo of Mark Gonzalez and Alexis Sanchez to keep playing well and find the net. Chile airtight defense has yet to allow a goal in the tournament. Manager Marco Bielsa will have to juggle the lineup a bit as midfielders Carlos Carmona and Matias Fernandez will miss the match due to yellow card accumulations.

Spain, who is ranked as the second-best team in the world by FIFA would take first place with a win but they could be knocked out of the World Cup with a draw or a loss if Switzerland wins. Spain has all the talent in the world, but hasn’t really been able to put it together in this World Cup, and previous ones for that matter. They may regret missing a boatload of chances against Honduras, especially David Villa missing out on a hat trick when he shot wide on a penalty kick. Their defense has being doing well enough, even though goalie Iker Casillas has looked a little bit shaky. Fernando Torres hasn’t been much of a factor up front and manager Vicente Del Bosque has been criticized by some for not playing midfielder Cesc Fabregas enough.

Spain has a reputation of choking in the big games but Chile hasn’t beaten Spain in seven previous matches, with Spain winning six and drawing one, while outscoring them 18 to 3. Spain is trying to avoid its first group play exit since 1998, which is also the last time Chile reached the round of 16.

PICK: Chile