Match 19 - Spain v. Chile
posted by The Blue Devil @ 2:28 PM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
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- Match 18 - The Netherlands v. Australia
- Brasil 2014 Predictions Game - Group Stage Update
- Match 16 - Brazil v. Mexico
- Match 13 - Nigeria v. Iran
- Match 12 - Germany v. Portugal
- Brasil '14 - Day 5
- Match 11 - Argentina v. Bosnia and Herzogovina
- Match 10 - France v. Honduras
- Match 9 - Switzerland v. Ecuador
- Brasil '14 - Day 4
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Here's the vital team news for this afternoon's crucial match-up:
Spain: Casillas; Azpilicueta, Javi Martínez, Sergio Ramos, Alba; Alonso, Busquets; Pedro, Iniesta, Silva; Diego Costa. Subs: Reina, De Gea, Albiol, Piqué, Juanfran, David Villa, Xavi, Torres, Fábregas, Mata, Koke, Cazorla.
Chile: Bravo; Medel, Silva, Jara; Isla, Diaz, Aranguiz, Mena; Vidal; Sanchez, Vargas. Subs: Toselli, Herrera, Albornoz, Carmona, Pinilla, Valdivia, Rojas, Orellana, Beasejour, Gutiérrez, Fuenzalida, Paredes.
Chile have swapped an attacking midfielder in Jorge Valdivia with a defensive midfielder, and occasional centre-half, in the shape of Francisco Silva. That's likely to mean a tweak in set-up – most likely Vidal will play in more of an advanced role, with Silva adding extra ballast in behind him. They could, alternatively, switch to a back three and a 3-4-1-2 formation.
Lots of trouble with security at the Maracana this afternoon. Apparently some few hundred Chile fans just ran through the press room.
The MLS official gets his second run out today. And it's the A-team of Ian Darke and Macca this afternoon. Well in, ESPN.
And we're away in the Maracana.
Oh - big chance there for Chile and Gonzalo Jara. Free header near the six yard box. Somehow put it wide.
Lots of booing for "Headbutt" Costa from the Maracana faithful.
Oh my - that was nearly an own goal by Javi Martinez who's making his World Cup debut tonight. That really would have been a shock.
Casillas uncharacteristically kicking long balls out that are recovered by Chile.
Xavi Alonso can chip one in now.
Bravo handles it easily.
Oh - Vargas nearly got on to that.
Silva is playing centrally behind Diego Costa, with Pedro on the right and Iniesta leftwards. It's always a little tricky to get an exact grip of the formations from the TV, but it does look like Chile have three at the back.
Oh - mad scramble in the Chile box but somehow Bravo recovers the ball.
After Chile's 100mph start, Spain are beginning to assert themselves. They're in control.
GOAL! Vargas steers home Chile's opener!
I thought Vargas might have waited too long but he bided his time and slotted home.
1-0 Chile!
If it stays like this, the world champions are going home after two matches. Wow!
Spain try to respond immediately, with Iniesta sending a ball in, Diego Costa holding it up and Xavi Alonso hoofing over from 12 yards.
Pedro is starting to get frustrated; he claps derisively at the lineman when he gives a goal kick.
Vidal is the first into the book tonight.
Diego Costa gets another sight of goal from Alonso's cross, but can only miskick his effort into the turf with his studs and watch as the ball bounces into the side-netting.
Diego Costa gets another sight of goal from Alonso's cross, but can only miskick his effort into the turf with his studs and watch as the ball bounces into the side-netting.
Kate's looking over my shoulder as I'm typing this.
Xavi Alonso goes into the book.
Chile have another chance to put a nail in the Spanish coffin here.
2-0! Unbelievable!
Del Bosque surely for the chop in the morning now.
Half-time - Spain have been ripped to shreds by a jubilant Chilean side.
2-0!
What on earth can Del Bosque do at this point? Well - Koke has come on for the cautioned Xavi Alonso.
We're back on at the Maracana and Diego Costa has another big chance to open his account for his adoptive country. Whiffed at it.
The Spanish are at least showing some urgency.
Vidal uproots Xavi and now Spain have a chance.
Ramos takes it and it's punched out by Bravo when he might have caught it.
Oh - and then Busquets misses a complete sitter at the backpost from two yards.
As the Spanish are pressing the quick Chilean attack could easily pick them off again.
Chile finally sitting back a bit. Might be a dangerous ploy.
The end of a ruinous World Cup campaign for Diego Costa - El Nino on for him.
Goalkeeper Aranguiz goes off now.
Go on, you Chileans - have a third!
Mad scramble in the Spanish box. Cleared out.
Gooner will not be happy to see Santi Cazorla come on for a useless cameo.
Oh - Caz comes as close as any Spaniard has today.
The goalscorer in the first match Valdivia is on for a late cameo now.
While much of the post-mortem will focus on this Spanish Gotterdammerung, Chile's performance tonight should not be overlooked. They've been superb – there surely can't be a fitter side in Brazil.
That sums it up. A Spanish corner is rocketed well over by Ramos. Game. Set. Match.
We've got a minimum of six minutes of injury time to play. Spain could play for another 66 without scoring. They've been abject today.
Well into stoppage time now...
That's it - the reigning World Champions are out!
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