Review: Day 6

Group H

       Chile   1-0   Honduras

Chile produced one of the performances of the tournament so far in beating Honduras 1-0 in Nelspruit on Wednesday after.

Jean Beausejour, who replaced the injured Humberto Suazo in attack, scored the decisive goal after the half hour mark. While it may have been the only goal la roja could muster, it was the least they deserved for a commanding and intelligent performance.

From the first minute to the last Marcelo Bielsa's team were ascendant. The Hondurans couldn't live with the passing and movement of their linguistic cousins to the south, and were effectively chasing shadows for 90 minutes. How only one goal was recorded remains a mystery, and that may prove to cost Chile by the time Group H ends, considering today's other result in Durban.

The victory was Chile's first in a World Cup finals since defeating Yugoslavia in the third place play off on home soil in 1962. The country's appearances since then have contained an abundance of draws, most notably in 1998 when tying all three group games.  

Playmaker Matias Fernandez, of Sporting Lisbon, showed greater control of the new ball than most by coming close from distance and from free kicks a couple of times. He also has an eye for a pass, like most of his team mates. Matigol controlled the majority of the game from his central position.

Team mate and Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez announced himself to the world. The Udinese player is a star in Chile but little known in the English speaking media. His performance today was probably the finest from a wide man that has been seen so far. 

As for Honduras, they were organised and showed a lot of spirit but it'll be a tall order for them to pick up any points from their remaining games with Spain and Switzerland.

If Chile continue to play with imagination and intent as they did today then anything could be possible from them in the coming weeks.

  

       Spain   0-1   Switzerland

The biggest shock of the World Cup so far took place today in Durban, the surfing capital of South Africa. Tournament favourites and European champions Spain just don't seem to like playing in the country.

La furia roja have just been defeated for the second time in 49 games, but both loses have occurred in South Africa. This defeat may be harder to swallow though than the one against USA last summer. Both games had something in common however- the opposition scored first.

The Iberians appeared to panic once falling behind after 50 minutes. They were in a rush to equalize when they should have been patient and composed. If they stuck to the game they know they can play then the goals will naturally come, but passes were rushed, touches were over hit and players were anxious in front of goal. 

Spain started the brightest, dominating possession against a team more interested in defending. The Swiss rearguard was occasionally breached by David Villa and Gerard Pique but for all their passing and interplay clear cut chances were at a premium.

The second half saw the same pattern emerge until disaster struck. A long ball from goalkepper Benaglio was touched on by Gokhan Inler which dissected Carles Puyol and Pique. The onrushing Eren Derdiyok was taken out by Iker Casillas but St. Etienne midfielder Gelson Fernandes scramble the ball home from two yards. It was a complete comedy of errors and proved that the Spanish defence can be got at. The fears over the quality of their back line have been confirmed in the worst possible manner. 

From that point on it was all Spain. Jesus Navas, Pedro and Fernando Torres were brought on to turn the tide but the strenght of Torres, pace of Navas and Pedro's ability to knick a goal were rarely on show and chances were infrequent. The best chance was a rocket from Xabi Alonso which cannoned off the bar but just like all previous long range shots in this tournament, it failed to find the back of the net.

The Swiss could even have made it two by the game's end. Derdiyok struck the post on the counter attack late on but Ottmar Hitzfeld's team were clearly delighted to escape with the win.

This was their fifth straight World Cup clean sheet since losing 3-0 in the second round in 1994, to Spain.

Chile would have been expecting a routine Spanish victory but now permutations may transpire that could have all three teams on six points. La roja may regret their lack of goals this afternoon.        

Group A

       South Africa   0-3   Uruguay

Bafana Bafana are all but out of the World Cup following their 3-0 defeat to Uruguay in Pretoria. Their hopes of reaching the last 16 are hanging by a thread, especially because of not only the three goal swing in goal differential but the manner in which they performed tonight.

The home side were truly atrocious, from start to finish. Rarely did they get the ball far enough forward to shoot on goal, but when they did their efforts were tame and wayward. 

At least the South African's can bring their challenge to the last day, but any kind of a victory over France seems unlikely. Only the most optimistic of fans will believe that their team will make it beyond the group stage.

The coronation of Bafana Bafana as the worst ever host nation performers is now only days away. Their second half performance against Mexico seems like a lifetime ago as they were totally outplayed in every depart by La Celeste. Oscar Tabarez's team were first to every ball, more physical and posed a far greater threat going forward. They were more comfortable on the ball too, especially Diego Forlan, who controlled the game from start to finish.

The Atletico Madrid scored the first long range goal of the competition thanks to a deflection and then added a penalty in the 80th minute. Forlan has Luis Suarez to thank for the penalty, who, as his is way, made the most of Khune's challenge. The goalkeeper subsequently had to depart the scene.

The ten men of the home side didn't stand a chance thereafter and even their star player, Steven Pienaar, was forced to make way for a replacement 'keeper. The Everton midfielder had had a disappointing evening.

Alvaro Pereira rubbed salt into the already deep wounds with a third in the 95th minute. The fans had come out in their thousands in hope of a magical night, a victory and a place in the second round, but were forced to go home with their vuvuzelas between their legs.

Uruguay will be quietly confident now of winning group A and avoiding arch rivals Argentina in the second round.