Spain beat Chile 2-1, as both teams progressed to the next round. Switzerland crashed out after a 0-0 draw with Honduras.
Group H was tantalisingly close going into the final set of games. Before kick-off, Chile topped the group with six points, yet a loss to Spain could have seen them getting knocked out. Spain went into the game with three points, and knew that they would probably need a win to get through.
A win of any kind, though, would definitely see them overtake Chile, as they scored one more goal than the Spaniards in their match against Honduras. A win by two goals or more for Switzerland, who were also on three points, against Honduras would guarantee them a place in the final 16.
Spain struck first in the 24th minute against Chile, when a horrible mistake by the Chilean goalkeeper Bravo was punished by an exquisite lob from the in-form David Villa. Spain doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Andres Iniesta side-footed home from eleven yards, after being played in by David Villa.
Things got even worse for Chile, as Marco Estrada was judged to have tripped the underperforming Fernando Torres in the build-up to the goal, and was given a second yellow card.
Chile refused to give up, however, and in the 47th minute substitute Mark Millar’s speculative shot deflected off Pique and into the net. With Switzerland drawing 0-0 against Honduras, the 2-1 result suited both teams (as it would require Switzerland to get to goals) and the rest of the match became something of a non-event.
Switzerland were toothless in their match, and only managed to get five of their 17 shots on target. They bow out of the tournament, as do Honduras who didn’t manage to score in their three matches. In the next round Spain will play Group G runners-up Portugal in the second round, in an Iberian derby. Chile will face Brazil, who they lost to twice in qualifying.
