Spain follows the fate of fellow European defending champions France and Italy, in their early elimination from the World Cup in the group stages in the following tournament. Chile's shocking victory sent the unexpecting Spaniards packing, June 18, at the Estadio Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
Chile, on the other hand, emerged triumphant with a 2-0 which secured them a spot for the next round of 16. Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz scored for the team with their ineffable skills in just the first half of the game.
Vargas lit up the scoreboard as he goaled in the 20th minute of the match. The fast-paced exchange of the ball from Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, Aranguiz, and finally, Vargas, is the reason for early celebration, which put Spain's spirit at an all-time low.
Just before half time, Aranguiz put his team's lead into two, as he got the ball from Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Aranguiz lightly powered his kick and sent the ball pounding through the net.
Challenged more than ever, Spain tried so hard to equalize the scores, but pressure looked more destructive than constructive for their performance. Out of fifteen shots, none entered the net. And most of the time, the ball was in their possession. But they scored no point.
For the second half, Spaniard coach Vicente del Bosque tried shuffling his pack, but the sub Fernando Torres did no good to the team either. The coach did not listen for the fans asking for Xavi's presence in the field. Moreover, Spain's tiki-taka strategy was no match for Chile's.
Their lost yesterday meant they are now scheduled for a meaningless game against Australia for the Group B on Monday.
Fans are now comparing Spain's early displacement from the tournament with France's in 2002, and Italy in 2010. Perhaps, history does not repeat itself in football.
