WC2010 review: Chile

Chile were always going to battle it out with Switzerland for second place in Group H and despite going down to Spain in their final group match, managed to reach the Round of 16.

Marcelo Bielsa kept his attacking formation from the qualifying phase throughout their time in South Africa and although it did not net the team a high number of goals, at least they played with some flair and creativity.

Alexis Sanchez, Jean Beausejour, Mark Gonzalez and Matias Fernandez were among the men that helped guide Chile to the second phase where they were eliminated by Brazil but if it wasn’t for the wastefulness in attack, they could have found themselves in a battle with Portugal where anything could have happened.

Chile were at times frustrating but overall great to watch and bigger things will be expected next time they step out on the international circuit.

Finished: 10th
Record: Wins – 2; Draws – 0; Losses – 2; Points – 6
Matches: Honduras (1-0), Switzerland (1-0), Spain (1-1), RO16-Brazil (0-3)
Goals: 3
Against: 5

tribalfootball.com’s Star Man
Alexis Sanchez (The ‘Wonder Boy’ lived up to his name with dazzling displays. Has an exciting future ahead of him)

Official statistics

Minutes played
Jean Beausejour 360
Claudio Bravo 360
Alexis Sanchez 335
Mauricio Isla 332

Top scorers
Rodrigo Millar 1
Jean Beausejour 1
Mark Gonzalez 1

Total shots
Alexis Sanchez 14
Mark Gonzalez 11
Arturo Vidal 6
Humberto Suazo 6

Pass Completion Rate
Gary Medel 87%
Waldo Ponce 82%
Carlos Camona 77%
Gonzalo Jara 75%

Most Fouls
Arturo Vidal 15
Jorge Valdivia 11
Alexis Sanchez 8
Carlos Camona 7

Yellow cards
Waldo Ponce 2
Matias Fernandez 2
Gary Medel 2
Carlos Camona 2
Rodrigo Millar 1
Humberto Suazo 1
Ismael Fuentes 1
Jorge Valdivia 1
Arturo Vidal 1

Red cards
none

Saves
Claudio Bravo 7