Chile comes into Friday's match against Spain on top of Group H with six points but in danger of missing the knockout stage. Should they lose and Switzerland win, they will subject themselves to tiebreakers, where they'll be eliminated if they lose by two or the Swiss win by two. Given two teams have won groups with five points, it seems somewhat harsh that La Roja is faced with the possibility of a group stage exist despite winning 100 percent of their points through two matches.
World Cup 2010, Spain Vs. Chile Preview: When Six Points May Not Be Enough
Chile can avoid those doomsday scenarios with a point, and while Spain is not similarly safe with a draw, a win will put the Spanish into the knockout stage. If their goal difference is as good as Switzerland's, Spain wins the group and likely avoids a Round of 16 match with Brazil.
While Spain has not looked as dominant as they were expected to at tournament’s onset, their opening match loss, injuries, and problems scoring are rendered inconsequential if they finish top of their group.
Spain, Going Forward: Despite not having a full, healthy team in either of their first two matches, Spain has had no problems creating chances. Their finishing, however, has been lacking, with striker Fernando Torres failing to find his form as he returns from a knee injury. David Villa's two goals against Honduras ended Spain's long (four day) national nightmare, but neither his highlight-reel first nor deflected second where goals in the typical Spanish style. If there is one thing the Spanish have come to love as much as their winning, it's their style.
A key element of that style is set to return Friday with Andres Iniesta, who was injured toward the end of the Switzerland match, declared healthy and ready to join teammate Xavi Hernández in midfield. With Torres back in the starting lineup and Cesc Fabregas ready, Spain will have their full team (provided right back Sergio Ramos can play), which will be a first for this tournament and will answer some questions about how Vincente del Bosque intends to play.
Xabi Alonso has been starting in midfield while various teammates return to health, but there is the thought that he may stay in the starting lineup with everybody healthy, much to the chagrin of critics who find Spain too passive when playing Alonso and Sergio Busquets - two deep-sitting midfielders - simultaneously.
Chile, Going Forward: Marcelo Bielsa has said forward Humberto Suazo may not play versus Spain, putting La Roja back in the state they were to start the tournament. That state got Chile a 1-0 win over Honduras were the only critique was the lack of a presence in the middle of attack to take advantage of Chile's dominant play. Attempting to solve that problem, Suazo got an unimpressive run-out in the first 45 minutes of the Switzerland match and showed he's in no condition to help. Without him, Chile has no constant presence in the box, and they're going to have to live with that.
If you're judging on style points that's not a problem because Chile has looked very good, winning loads of supporters around the world for their progressive approach that, to their mind, is inconsistent with playing for the draw they need to win Group H. But much like the Spaniards, Chile is having little success converting chances into goals. They've scored only twice, with one coming while playing 11-on-10. Alexis Sanchez, Jean Beausejour and Mark González are becoming favorites of judges and pundits, but they need to start impressing the scoreboard, too.
How The Match Turns: Part of Chile’s progressive approach is the pressure they exert on their opponents; specifically, on the opposing back line, as Chile’s attackers furiously stress their opposition in their own end. If Spain’s defenders deal with this pressure well, the Spanish will have opportunities to improve upon their goal scoring issues. If they have trouble with that pressure, Chile could put Spain out of the tournament.
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