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Defending World and European champions were knocked out of the World Cup 2014 in the first round by a spirited Chile who triumphed 2-0 with two 1st half goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz. Spain had scores of chances to make a match out of this but failed to convert any of it.
Chile qualified through to the 2nd round along with Netherlands who beat Australia earlier in the day. This is the first time a defending champion have been eliminated having just played two matches.
Here we look at all the heroes and the villains of the match.
Spain
Iker Casillas: 4/10 – Flop of the match
The Spain captain had another disastrous outing on the field, with his weak punch from Sanchez’s free-kick leading to Chile’s second goal. Iker Casillas future with the La Roja remains a serious doubt.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 6/10
The right back did not do an awful lot wrong but was dragged out of position for Vargas’s goal. He lacked the energy and exuberance expected from a right-back to make the late forward runs.
Sergio Ramos: 5.5/10
The centre-back lacked in confidence and spent most of the night chasing shadows. His unusualness with his center-back partner Javi Martinez showed early in the match. Ramos tried to be useful going forward with his headers, but never made much of it, he was booked for a foul on Vargas.
Javi Martinez: 5/10
The replacement to Gerard Pique clashed heads with Ramos indicating a lack of communication and was dispossessed a few times. He was no improvement to Pique.
Jordi Alba: 5/10
The left-back was subdued throughout the match and offered little going forward, Alba was often found recuperating from Mauricio Isla’s forward raids. Isla got the better of the Barcelona centre-back too easily too often.
Sergio Busquets: 5/10
Busquets did not provide the protection the Spanish defence begged for, wasn’t at his energetic best even with his histrionics. Missed a glorious chance at the start of the second-half.
Xabi Alonso: 4/10
Alonso had one of his worst nights in a Spain jersey. Gave the ball away leading to Chile’s first goal, was booked for a crude challenge on Isla and was rightly subbed off at half-time by Koke. A night to forget in an otherwise memorable career.
Andres Iniesta: 6/10
The Spain magician made a few incisive passes and had a good shot saved late on, but wasn’t at mercurial best to influence the result. A below par performance by Iniesta on the whole.
Pedro: 6/10
The Barcelona forward replaced Xavi tried his best to get behind the Chile defense, but all efforts went in vain with the defense too disciplined to get through.
David Silva: 5/10
His athleticism(or the lack of it) was highlighted against the Chileans who were on a rampage throughout the match. Silva was enterprising early-on playing as a number 10 but got tired too early to make an impact.
Diego Costa: 5/10
The Brazilian born Spain international set up Alonso’s early chance, but it was evident Costa wasn’t at peak fitness. Del Bosque’s selection of Costa remains a mystery here where Costa was the newest member to the Tiki-Taka set up and wasn’t totally fit.
Substitutes
Koke: 6/10
The midfielder had few good runs in the second-half and played at a much higher pace, but it wasn’t to be his or Spain’s day.
Fernando Torres: 5/10
Was no better than Costa who found the Chilean defense hard to penetrate.
Santi Cazorla: 6/10
Pulled two good long-range saves from Bravo as he tried to save Spain the blushes in the final 15 minutes.
Chile
Claudio Bravo: 7/10
The Chilean shot-stopper was confident claiming crosses and saved a close-range effort from Alonso when the score was still 0-0.
Gonzalo Jara: 7/10
The center-back was solid in defense and overpowered both Costa and Torres keeping them out of the game. Also got a chance going forward but his header was off target.
Fracisco Silva: 7/10
He was unforgiving while tackling and was comfortable bringing the ball out of defense. Made key interceptions and clearances.
Gary Medel: 8/10
He was ruthless at the back as usual and made some key interceptions sweeping behind the other two center-backs.
Eugenio Mena: 7/10
Was tireless running up and down the left flank outplaying Pedro consistently. He got booked for a foul on the Barcelona forward, who showed his bag of skills but never really threatening to go past Mena.
Charles Aranguiz: 8/10 – Man of the match
He set up a brilliant assist for the first goal and was clinical scoring the second. Had to be substituted due to a knee injury, was a continual support to the Chilean front two.
Marcelo Diaz: 7/10
Touted as the South American Xavi, he controlled the midfield with intelligent passing in the face of more illustrious counterparts such as Alonso and Busquets. Proved to be a rock in the center of the field continuously breaking-up play and intercepting through balls.
Mauricio Isla: 7/10
He was a solid defensive component of the Chile side and was reliable force going forward . Nullified the threat of Jordi Alba but missed a great chance though.
Arturo Vidal: 7/10
A box-office performance from the Juventus midfielder defying any sort of injury issues. He provided the link between the midfield and attack with his box-to-box runs. Was booked for a foul on Busquets.
Alexis Sanchez: 8/10
He was always a threat with his off the ball running and was happy to track back to help out his defense. The Barcelona man was involved in both the goals, with a great pass in build-up to the first and took the free-kick which led to the second. Kept an incredibly high tempo throughout the match.
Eduardo Vargas: 8/10
Showed great composure in scoring the first goal and kept the Spanish defenders on their toes with his tireless running and pressing.
Substitutes:
Felipe Gutierrez: 5/10
He was the replacement to Aranguiz, was strong in the air winning headers regularly.
Jorge Valdivia: 4.5/10
Was called upon in the 85th minute when Chile were just looking to sit back and defend. Did not have too many touches to improve the scoreline whatsoever.
Carlos Carmona: 4/10
He came on for Vidal late in the game to preserve the victory which he did.
