RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – One of the greatest dynasties in modern football came to a shattering end when champions Spain lost 2-0 to Chile yesterday and crashed out of the World Cup with their glory days consigned to the history books.
On the day when Spain’s King Juan Carlos signed his abdication papers, the country’s footballers were forced off their throne as first-half goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz earned Chile a stunning victory in front of thousands of their ecstatic fans in a 74,000 crowd at the Maracana.
The South Americans, who attacked the holders from the first whistle, reached the last 16 along with the Netherlands and confirmed the pre-World Cup talk that they could advance deep into the tournament with a disciplined display against a tired-looking Spanish side who go out along with Australia.
The Dutch, who beat Spain 5-1 last Friday, and Chile each have six points and they meet in Sao Paulo on Monday to decide the group winners. Spain face Australia in Curitiba bidding to avoid finishing bottom of Group B.
The Chileans swept into the lead after 20 minutes following a counter-attack on the right which set up Aranguiz to provide the cross for Vargas who danced around keeper Iker Casillas before firing home.
Casillas, who had a poor game against the Dutch, was at fault again for the second goal, punching an Alexis Sanchez free kick straight back to Aranguiz who placed the ball past the keeper with a spinning shot two minutes before halftime.
Spain had their chances, notably through Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba late in the game and one opportunity for Sergio Busquets early in the second half might have changed the game.
But he fluffed his kick to howls of derision from the Chilean fans and Spain never looked like winning after that.
“We cannot complain we did not deserve to go out, they were better than us,” Spain coach Vicente del Bosque told reporters.
“The team showed character, we pressed forward but we had little luck in front of goal.
“We were certainly inferior to our rivals here at the finals. It is not the moment to think about the future. Little by little we will make the necessary assessments.”
Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, who had a fine match, was unsurprisingly in upbeat mood.
“We showed we are at a very good level,” he said.
“We didn’t come for a holiday, we came to fight for the championship.”
Spain became the third champions in the last four World Cups to be eliminated at the first hurdle and their departure will almost certainly end the long international careers of their greats Xavi, Casillas and Xabi Alonso.