Unbeatable, even on a bad day

To review Chile’s footballing history, often wretched, is to walk into a trap. This is a team who have been in the semi-finals of the World Cup, and currently are a side with fighting spirit, stupendous footballers with good skills who play in the big European leagues, a coach with a plan, outstanding recent results and the enthusiasm of an entire country spurring them on. They are a side who don’t hold back and who want the ball. A ‘Roja’ writ large, who deserve attention and to play against the best. But Del Bosque had to the play his number one team against Finland and in Geneva he was obliged to share out the exertions. Only five of the side that beat the Finns started. It was a chore for the bench and for Valdés, whose prize for the patience he’s shown was picking the ball out of his net twice. It was also a warning for the back-ups, whose role in a long-term campaign, as the World Cup is, will be important. Only the greyhound Navas appeared to understand this. But Champions are Champions because they show they’re unbeatable even on their worst days. That’s why Spain beat Chile in time added on two years ago and equalised tonight. Faith prevented Spain from losing.

Chile, extremely energetic, were up for the game from the off. They shortened their team from back to front, with three central defenders, and pressed ferociously, with Vidal on Javi Garcia and Pizarro and Díaz on Xavi and Cesc, leaving Spain with no supply; meanwhile Alexis went around causing trouble for Spain wherever he went. And in the whirlwind start Chile found the net. Isla played a fine ball in, Ramos was asleep and played Vargas on-side and the Chilean, unopposed, slotted home. After that Chile stayed firm, not allowing much to happen in the game, and overcame Spain equalising through Soldado with another goal from Vargas just before half-time. Albiol failed to second guess Vargas’ neat turn before he put the ball past Valdés. The striker has scored in seven out of his last nine games with his national side, and he showed why against Spain.

Spain missed Iniesta, who came on at half-time; confirmed that the centre of defence is the area needing most work (no rest for Albiol and Ramos, and tears at the absences) and yearned for the starting midfielders, the zone where they suffered the most. The hyperactive Vidal, a player who can play in various positions and is good in all of them, was too much for Javi García. He did production and direction in an outstanding game. Monreal lacked Alba’s daring and lost his duel with Isla. Soldado didn’t do enough, despite scoring, and isn’t the obvious solution up front. Everything was harder than it was in Helsinki, starting with the opposition.

In the list of the blameless was Cesc, definitively the player at the centre of the side. He currently contributes more than Xavi and that doesn’t seem like changing soon. He hit a genius shot that came back off the post. Pedro was also exonerated. He was the first to shoot, gifted a goal to Soldado and another to Navas (it was between him and defender Menas as to who got the decisive touch). The Barcelona player, with his pace and directness, was a nuisance for Chile all night. The draw came about from his faith, his effort and his dedication.

It also came from Del Bosque’s changes. Iniesta settled Spain, Navas made them faster and wider. Nacho made his debut, with no major mistakes; Reina didn’t fall apart when things were tough at the back; and Koke played well in his natural midfield position. By the end Spain looked like deserving the draw they got. But if they meet Chile when it matters they’d do well to be fitter and more focused.