Spain and Chile will lock horns at the emblematic Estádio Maracanã in
Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday night. A must-win match for the defending
champions.
Spain team come into this clash knowing that they will almost certainly have
to win the game to stand a chance of qualification since they have lost
5-1 against Netherlands on Friday evening. The Spanish defensive line
had a night to forget and Casillas, in particular, will certainly
remember that match forever. The goalkeeper definetely showed the world
why he was benched by Mourinho and Ancelotti.
Captain Iker Casillas is expected to keep his place in goal despite a
performance he described as the worst of his career, with David De Gea
out of this match and possibly the rest of the competition with a hip
injury. Diego Costa caused the Dutch some problems but his overall
performance was not the most convincing, so Fernando Torres might
replace him.
Chile secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Australia in the first round. They were bright with Sanchez, Vargas and Valdivia in particular creating a lot of goal chances. La Roja was in control of the game very early at 2-0 up but Australia pulled one back before the break and in the end it was nervy stuff until a 90th minute goal restored the two goal cushion.
Arturo Vidal lasted an hour in Cuiaba on his comeback from a knee operation but will retain his spot. Sampaoli may consider bringing in Francisco Silva at centre-back, but he is expected to continue with Gary Medel and Eugenio Mena as his central defensive pairing.
Spain have won just one of their last five internationals played a neutral venue but they are undefeated in ten previous matches against the South Americans. They have also not lost back to back international matches since October of 2006 either.
Chile secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Australia in the first round. They were bright with Sanchez, Vargas and Valdivia in particular creating a lot of goal chances. La Roja was in control of the game very early at 2-0 up but Australia pulled one back before the break and in the end it was nervy stuff until a 90th minute goal restored the two goal cushion.
Arturo Vidal lasted an hour in Cuiaba on his comeback from a knee operation but will retain his spot. Sampaoli may consider bringing in Francisco Silva at centre-back, but he is expected to continue with Gary Medel and Eugenio Mena as his central defensive pairing.
Spain have won just one of their last five internationals played a neutral venue but they are undefeated in ten previous matches against the South Americans. They have also not lost back to back international matches since October of 2006 either.
probable line-ups:
Spain (4-3-3) – Casillas – Azpilicueta – Sergio Ramos –
Piqué – Jordi Alba – Xabi Alonso – Busquets – Xavi – Iniesta – Juan
Mata – Fernando Torres.
Chile (3-4-3) – Bravo – Jara – Medel - Isla – Vidal – Díaz – Mena -Aránguiz – Valdivia – Sánchez – Vargas.
