FIFA World Cup: Chile 2, Spain 0

The long reign of Tiki-Taka has ended. 

Chile’s attacking verve was too much for Spain in its second Group B match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. La Roja defeated Spain 2-0, eliminating the defending champions from the tournament and sending Chile to the second round. 

Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aránguiz provided all the scoring Chile would need in the first half. The victory means that Chile and the Netherlands are the first two teams to advance to the Round of 16. 

Key play

Chile’s first goal set the tone, but La Roja’s second broke Spain’s back.

Spanish keeper Iker Casillas struggled with a powerful Alexis Sánchez free kick, punching the shot back into play. The ball landed at Aránguiz’s feet, and he pounced, placing a shot into the far corner, and toppling Spain off its throne.

Man of the match

Charles Aránguiz. The Chilean midfielder laid down a wonderful pass to set up La Roja’s first goal, then broke Spanish hearts by scoring Chile’s second. 

It was a good day for…

Ending labels. We can stop calling Spain the defending champions, and while we’re at it, stop calling Chile a “dark horse.” This team could make a serious run.

It was a bad day for…

Title defences. A tepid 2014 World Cup has seen Spain become the first defending World Cup champion to lose its first two matches at the subsequent World Cup. It joins the likes of France in 2002, Italy in 2010, and Brazil in 1966, all of which had equally awful title defences. 

The number

7. The number of goals Spain has conceded in its first two games at the World Cup. That’s more than its last two World Cups combined (six).

What does this mean?

Chile and the Netherlands may be through, but the teams still have lots to play for in their final Group B match on Monday (CBC TV, cbc.ca/fifaworldcup, Noon ET). They want to avoid a matchup with the hosts in the second round, as Brazil will likely finish first in Group A. Chile needs to win to avoid it, so expect a ton of fun attacking football from each side.

Spain has nothing to play for except pride against Australia on Friday (CBC TV, cbc.ca/fifaworldcup, Noon ET). Both teams are out of the tournament.

They said it

"We will have to make a decision as to what is best for Spanish football, and that includes my future." – Vicente del Bosque, Spain manager

"I feel very proud of course and especially proud of the players. I don't know if it is the best victory ever, for me the best victory is always the next one. But I don't think I will ever forget this win. We were very courageous in the way that we played and you could say that we are the rebels of this tournament." — Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli