Switzerland was unable to pull off a repeat of their shocking 1-0 upset over Spain as they fell to Chile 1-0 in Group H action. The Chileans now lead Group H with six points at the 2010 South African FIFA World Cup, while Switzerland remains very much in the race for the round of 16 with three points after two games for each team.
South African-born Mark Gonzalez scored for Chile in the 75th minute off of a perfect pass from Esteban Paredes. Paredes chipped it from the right side of the field to Gonzalez at the far post, where he chipped it into the back of the net.
In the end it was the Chilean offense that saved them, finally breaking through. After having only scored a single goal against a weak Honduran side, and with the Swiss having held the powerful Spanish team scoreless, many people questioned whether the Chileans would be able to pierce the defensively minded Swiss, who are known to create an almost impenetrable wall around their own box. Up until the Chileans broke through in the 75th minute, the Swiss defense hadn’t conceded a goal in almost 600 straight minutes of World Cup play, easily good enough for the record.
A Controversial Red Card
Despite their almost invincible defense, Switzerland was placed at a major disadvantage when Valon Behrami was given a red card in the 33rd minute for an almost non-existent elbow. Pressured from behind by two Chileans, Behrami raised his arm. The Chilean behind him immediately fell backwards as if elbowed, which was enough for Saudi Arabian referee Khalil Al Ghamdi to award him a red card and put the Swiss a man down for the final 60 minutes. The replay showed there was very little contact on the play. Disadvantaged against a stronger team, the Swiss attempted to hunker down and seemed content to aim for a 0-0 draw, playing tight defense until finally Chile broke through. Throughout the first half, Chile had controlled possession for an almost unheard of 72 per cent of the time.
While Switzerland were unable to manage much offense, they very nearly tied the game in the 90th minute as Eren Derdiyot made a critical error by shooting the ball wide left while he was unmarked in the box. The late tying goal would have been critical for Switzerland in denying rivals Chile three points and getting one of their own, but it was an uncharacteristic error from Derdiyot that denied them their chance. By the end of the game the outnumbered Swiss appeared simply too tired to counter effectively as almost an hour of chasing around the constant Chilean attack with only ten men appeared to have taken its toll. Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio had to be superb at multiple times throughout the game.
Divisional Future
The victory means Chile will advance into the quarterfinals with a minimum of six points, having won both their opening games 1-0. The Spanish are taking on Honduras in their second match and currently have zero points after their upset loss to the Swiss. It is likely the second spot in the division will be competed for by Switzerland and Spain. Spain badly needs a win, having come into the tournament as favourites to win it all. A win over divisional weakling Honduras would place them in a tie with the Swiss now, who could have greatly helped their cause with a tie on Monday.
Still, with three points in their pockets already and a match against Honduras, the Swiss still have a very good chance of advancing as well, a feat which would shock the world by denying powerhouse Spain a quarterfinal berth.
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