Spain, Chile through to World Cup last 16

الجمعة، 25 يونيو 2010 - 23:51

كتب : Hatem Maher

الذراع إنيستا تحرك في كل الاتجاهات

David Villa scored and dished out an assist to help Spain beat 10-man Chile 2-1 as both sides reached the World Cup round of 16 on Friday.

Spain qualified for the knockout phase as Group H winners with six points, ahead of second-placed Chile on goal difference.

Switzerland needed to overcome Honduras to stand a chance of going through but they were held to a goalless draw to finish third in the group on four points.

Bottom side Honduras, who are making their second World Cup appearance, could only collect one point.

European champions Spain will face Portugal in the next round while Chile will take on five-time world champions Brazil.

Superb Villa

A superb strike from Barcelona's newly-signed striker Villa gave Spain the lead after 24 minutes.

Fernando Torres ran onto a through pass from Xabi Alonso but Chile keeper Claudio Bravo rushed out to clear the ball.

He could only manage to kick it into the path of Villa, whose stunning 40-metre curling shot went into the empty net.

Spain doubled their advantage and Chile had midfielder Marco Estrada controversially dismissed eight minutes before the break.

Andres Iniesta found Villa on the left and raced into the area to gather the striker's return pass and send a low shot into the bottom corner of the net from just inside the area.

Estrada picked up a second yellow card immediately afterwards for an apparent foul on Torres but television replays showed that the Liverpool man fell under no challenge.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Chile pulled one back in the 47th minute when substitute Rodrigo Millar's shot deflected off Gerard Pique’s leg and looped into the net.

Chile's subsequent tame efforts did not trouble Spain who avoided a stunning first-round exit.

التعليقات