Jevus Navas scored one minute into second half stoppage time, salvaging a 2-2 draw with Chile in a friendly in Switzerland. Eduardo Vargas scored twice for Chile who came within minutes of beating Spain for the first time in six tries.
Spain vs. Chile: Final score 2-2, Navas’ late goal saves La Roja
Chile were the better side throughout the day but Jesus Navas’ saved Spain in stoppage time with a close range finish to earn a draw for La Roja.
Harold Cunningham
Vargas fired Chile ahead in the 5th minute after some sloppy defending allowed him to get free in space and run onto Mauricio’s Isla’s pass before beating Victor Valdés. Chile came close again midway through the half when Valdés had to make a quick recovery to prevent Alexis Sanchez’s back pass from turning into an own-goal.
Despite the poor play, Spain equalized seven minutes before the break when Roberto Soldado headed home a precise pass off the foot of Alvaro Arbeloa. Chile answered right back as Vargas scored his second goal of the day just a minute before halftime. The Chilean striker went right around Raul Albiol and beat Valdés to the bottom corner.
Chile controlled the second half and frustrated Spain but the current World Champions would have the last laugh in stoppage time.
Jesus Navas found some space in the Chile box and was able to tap-in a cross from Pedro Rodriguez to save Spain and avoid La Roja’s only second loss in their last 30 matches.
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