One of the greatest dynasties in modern soccer came to a shattering end when champion Spain lost 2-0 to Chile on Wednesday and crashed out of the World Cup with its glory days consigned to the history books.
On the day when Spain’s King Juan Carlos signed his abdication papers, the country’s players were forced off their throne as first-half goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz earned Chile a stunning victory in front of thousands of their ecstatic fans in a 74,000 crowd at Maracana Stadium.
The South Americans, who attacked the holders from the first whistle, reached the last 16 along with the Netherlands and confirmed the pre-World Cup talk that they could advance deep into the tournament with a disciplined display against a tired-looking Spanish side which goes out along with Australia.
The Dutch, who beat Spain 5-1 last Friday, and Chile each have six points and they meet in Sao Paulo on Monday to decide the group winner. Spain faces Australia in Curitiba bidding to avoid finishing last in Group B.
The Chileans swept into the lead after 20 minutes following a counterattack on the right which set up Aranguiz to provide the cross for Vargas who danced around ‘keeper Iker Casillas before firing home.
Casillas, who had a poor game against the Dutch, was at fault again for the second goal, punching an Alexis Sanchez free kick straight back to Aranguiz who placed the ball past the ‘keeper with a spinning shot two minutes before halftime.
Spain had its chances, notably through Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba late in the game, and one opportunity for Sergio Busquets early in the second half that might have changed the game.
But he fluffed his kick to howls of derision from the Chilean fans and Spain never looked like winning after that.
“We cannot complain we did not deserve to go out, they were better than us,” Spain coach Vicente del Bosque told reporters.
“The team showed character, we pressed forward but we had little luck in front of goal.
“We were certainly inferior to our rivals here at the finals. It is not the moment to think about the future. Little by little we will make the necessary assessments.”
Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, who had a fine match, was unsurprisingly in an upbeat mood.
“We showed we are at a very good level,” he said.
“We didn’t come for a holiday, we came to fight for the championship.”
Spain became the third champion in the last four World Cups to be eliminated at the first hurdle and its departure will almost certainly end the long international careers of their greats Xavi, Casillas and Xabi Alonso.
Xavi, for so long the fulcrum of the side which won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships and its first World Cup in South Africa four years ago, did not even make the starting lineup.
His long-term partner Andres Iniesta, tried to do what he has always done best but made little impression against the inspired Chileans.
Chile, which had never beaten Spain in 10 previous meetings, looked sharp and confident from the start and even faster and more fluid in the second half.
Playing with the masterful Vidal in the hole behind Alexis Sanchez and Vargas, the Chileans controlled the play and he pulled the strings as they showed the old masters how it should be done.
With more composure in front of goal following a series of rapid-fire counterattacks, Chile could easily have scored more, confirming the suspicion first raised about Spain at Maracana a year ago when Brazil crushed it 3-0 in the Confederations Cup final.
At the time that seemed a possible dress rehearsal for the World Cup final, but Spain never hinted it could win this match let alone the tournament on a night that belonged to Chile, a former colony of the Spanish crown.
It was an attacking game from beginning to end, with Spain’s back four looking to push forward to help create the goals to put their World Cup campaign back on track.
But when the chances did come, they were all wasted or thwarted by Claudio Bravo in the Chilean goal.
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