Game 19 Recap: Spain 0-2 Chile

SPAIN 0-2 CHILE

Spain's 5-1 defeat to Netherlands last week should have foreshadowed today's result but there was a sense that people wanted to give Spain the benefit of the doubt that they could come back from that defeat. It wasn't meant to be though.

Spain's long run of dominance in world soccer came to a definitive end in Rio, as the defending world champions lost their second straight match and find themselves mathematically eliminated with a game in hand. Allowing 7 goals in 2 games, it's a shocking collapse and one that Spanish soccer may take a while to recover from.

There were many questions regarding this Spanish squad after the Netherlands game and it became apparent quickly those questions were not going to be answered in this match. Spain could not handle the speed of Chile, showed little in the way of finishing promise on goal and again received shaky goalkeeping from Iker Casillas.

Spain did find themselves with a chance at opening the scoring in the 15th minute after Diego Costa snuck the ball in to the area. It ended up in the feet of Xabi Alonso but his point-blank shot was sraight at the centre of Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

Alonso would be involved minutes later in the first goal of the game but not for his team. Under heavy pressure, Alonso turned the ball over in the midfield leading to a Chilean fast break. Quick movement and passing from Chile led to a 2 on 1 for the Chilean attack. Charles Aranguiz deftly passed the ball across goal and Eduardo Vargas held the ball up long enough between Casillas and Sergio Ramos to toe the ball in to the goal.

Diego Costa continued his good game (about the only one for Spain) with a near assist to Alonso just following the goal and had his own shot graze the outside of the post from inside the penalty area.

It was Chile though that continued to press and after Iker Casillas punched a free kick straight out front of goal, it was Aranguiz who took the ball down and calmly put it away for the 2-0 lead and ultimately the game. If there was any doubt Spain was done, look no further then this play. Every Spanish defender was standing watching the entire sequence of events.

Chile abandoned their attack from that point on and completely locked down their own penalty area to secure the victory and advancement to the knockout round. For Spain, it's an early exit from the World Cup and the end of one of the greatest eras any country has ever had in world soccer.

Goals

Spain: N/A

Chile: Eduardo Vargas (20'), Charles Aranguiz (43')

Discipline

Spain: Xabi Alonso (Yellow 40')

Chile: Arturo Vidal (Yellow 26'), Eugenio Mena (Yellow 61')

Man of the Match

Eduardo Vargas was named Man of the Match by the fans. Could have also gone to fellow goalscorer Charles Aranguiz. Vargas finished off a brilliant rush by Chile that tore through the Spanish defence for their first goal. Aranguiz delivered the final pass on that goal and deftly put home a comebacker off Iker Casillas to pick up the insurance goal for Chile.

Key Moment

Xabi Alonso turned the ball over and some excellent movement through the midfield and passing led to an Eduardo Vargas goal in the 20th minute of the game. Spain needed a quick start to put behind the demons of their last match and they didn't get it. The first of the Chile goals was an ominous sign for Spain who never looked fully engaged in the game from that point on.

What we learned from Spain

Very simply, Spain's reign as king in world soccer is over. Some might even argue this is a fall that began last year when this team got blown out by Brazil in the Confederations Cup final. They went with one of the oldest squads in the tournament and could not handle the youthful defence of the Dutch and the speed of Chile today. There will be a lot of questions about this Spanish squad as they go in to Euro 2016 qualifying in 3 months.

What we learned from Chile

Known for their full out attacking style, Chile showed they can hold things together on the back end against one of the best attacking squads in history. Time and again Spain's attacks were held outside the penalty area and balls were cleared with little threat on goal. We all know there potential for goals but Chile's defensive performance today is what will have eyebrows raised throughout the teams in Brazil.

Going Forward 

Spain and Australia are going home while Netherlands and Chile have their spots in the Round of 16 secured. Chile play the Dutch in their final game and there's still a lot riding on that game. Second-place in this group likely means Brazil in the next round and while there's no easy games in the knockout round, that's a matchup to be avoided at all costs. The Dutch hold the tiebreaker so a draw won't do it for Chile. Win against the Dutch and they'll be first in the group. Anything else and they'll come second.