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'If Diego Costa had scored the chance early in the second half, the game might have had a very different outcome.' - CCFC World Cup Review

19 June 2014

Club News

'If Diego Costa had scored the chance early in the second half, the game might have had a very different outcome.' - CCFC World Cup Review

19 June 2014

As the defending World Champions crash out of the World Cup, we review Chile's impressive win...

Spain 0-2 Chile 

The defending World Champions Spain crashed out of the 2014 World Cup after they suffered a 2-0 defeat to South Americans Chile.

Coventry City communications officer Kieran Crowley gives his thoughts on the game:

It was always going to be difficult for Spain to prepare mentally for the Chile game after the 5-1 defeat against Holland but like most people, I still expected them to get a result against Chile.

Spain started well, creating chances but much like the Holland game, their finishing deserted them. Chile's first goal came from a defensive error but take nothing away from the goal as it was brilliantly worked and Eduardo Vargas' composure was extremely impressive.

The second goal has to be blamed on Iker Casillas. It was a good free-kick from Alexis Sanchez but he should have been able to punch it away to safety. Again, it was a fantastic finish but Charles Aranguiz shouldn't have had so much space to finish after the free-kick.

I think the crucial moment in the game came early in the second half when Diego Costa missed a glorious chance to get Spain back in the game. If he had scored that, the game might have had a very different outcome. Sergio Busquets missed from two yards out soon after and then you knew, it wasn't Spain's night.

It is a shame to see the World Champions crash out but maybe it will give them the chance to bring some new blood into the squad and start again. It isn't 'the death of tiki taka' like a few people are suggesting though. 

Chile were superb. They've always been one of my favourite national teams to watch and a lot of credit should go to previous manager Marcelo Bielsa who set the seeds for the current team. They're definitely living up to their tag as 'dark horses' and will be a team many will want to avoid in the last 16.



Man of the Match: Mauricio Isla - He was superb. Got up the pitch in the first half and contributed to the attack and when Chile reverted to the low press in the second half, he was defensively solid. A crucial player for Chile.

Performance rating: Spain 6, Chile 9

Prospects: Chile could face Brazil, Mexico or Croatia in the last 16, and are capable of beating all three teams. Spain can watch Chile try and progress from the beach.

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