Spaniards finally get into rhythm
Fans and aesthetes can rejoice. Spain avoided the first-round quicksand that had consumed France and Italy, with a 2-1 win over Chile in Group H here on Friday. The rewards for the hard-earned result are a place at the top of the pool and a meeting with Portugal in the next round.
Switzerland’s goalless stalemate against Honduras in a simultaneous kick-off from the same group meant Chile also progressed to the round of 16 as runners-up and a meeting with Brazil.
David Villa settled the jangling nerves of his countrymen with a marvellous first-time effort into an empty net from 40 yards. Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo contributed handsomely to the opener with a mad dash to clear Xabi Alonso’s long pass. He did succeed in getting to the ball ahead of an onrushing Fernando Torres just outside the box, but his clearance fell invitingly to Villa near the left touchline.
The new Barcelona signing had some work to do to send the ball into an orphaned net, even though he had acres of space and plenty of time. Villa made it look ridiculously easy with a majestic swing of his left foot. The sound of ole, ole reverberated. Bravo Villa.
Andres Iniesta, the unsung hero in Barcelona’s star cast, doubled the lead in the 37th minute by starting a move on the right flank and finishing it off with panache on the other side. Chile left-back Gonzalo Jara failed to control a routine pass and allowed Iniesta to mug him.
The Barca linkman quickly passed the ball to Torres and scurried forward to receive it back. After another one-two with Villa, Iniesta beat Bravo with a low shot.
Chile cut the deficit through half-time substitute Rodrigo Millar’s deflected shot. In the end it was ole, ole for Chilean supporters too. As many as six Spanish-speaking nations — Spain, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Mexico and Argentina — are in the last 16.
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