Spain, the defending champions at the on-going world cup in Brazil have lost their second group match to Chile today, ending their run at the mundial.
The Spanish national team failed in their attempt to win a second successive World Cup after Chile defeated them with 2 goals to Nil. This means that the team has been eliminated even though they still have one group game to play. With this defeat for Spain, they have become the third reigning champion to be knocked out in the group stage in the last four World Cups.
France dropped out at the same stage in 2002, with Italy going the same way in 2010. Brazil was the defending champions in 2006 World Cup, and only managed to make it to the Quarter-Finals. Seems like winning the World Cup is bad luck for the defending champions come the next time around.
The victory guaranteed progression to the knockout round of 16 for Chile. The result also meant that the Netherlands could celebrate early qualification after securing a 3-2 triumph over Australia in the day's first match. Chile will play the Netherlands on Monday to decide which team will top Group B, while Spain will face Australia in a game that is now largely meaningless for both sides.
Eduardo Vargas opened the scoring for Chile against Spain in the 20th minute after an interchange down the right flank between Alexis Sánchez and Arturo Vidal. Charles Aránguiz then cut the ball back, and Vargas kept his cool to round Iker Casillas and prod the ball home.
Just before half time, Aránguiz doubled Chile's lead after an error from Casillas, who could only punch a weak free kick from Sánchez back into the danger area. Aránguiz took a touch and punted the ball into the back of the net.
Spain had characteristically long periods of possession, but created few clear-cut chances for either Diego Costa or his substitute Fernando Torres as Chile's high-tempo pressing smothered the Spanish midfield.
Read more - NY Times
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