Chile v Spain

Friday, 4th June 2010 at 10:12am

By the time the Chile v Spain Group H fixture is played out on June 25, it is likely that both teams will have qualified for the round of 16 and all that will be left will be to determine who finishes top of the group.

That honour is likely to go to the Spanish, who travel to South Africa as the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy after years of disappointing results, and who should have too much for their South American opponents.

Few, if any, teams have flattered to deceive as much as Spain on the world stage, but buoyed with confidence after winning Euro 2008 and arriving in South Africa with arguably the most talented squad of players available to any manager in the tournament, the world can expect a strong challenge for the title from Del Bosque's men.

The Spanish first team boasts world class talent in almost every position and is backed up by a top class cast of supporting stars.

Ike Casillas, despite recent poor performances, has been one of the standout goalkeepers for the past decade and should he falter, then Del Bosque can all on the services of Liverpool's Pepe Reina or Barcelona's Victor Valdes.

In defence, the Barcelona pairing of Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique have formed a partnership which has helped underpin the Catalan club's numerous trophy successes in the past two seasons, and they will be supported at the back by Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos at right back and either club mate Alvaro Arbeloa or Joan Capdevilla on the left.

In midfield, it is likely that Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas will begin matches from the bench, playing second fiddle to the likes of Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez, David Silva and Andres Iniesta, all creating chances for David Villa and Fernando Torres up front.

It is unlikely that any other side in the world could afford to leave out Fabregas from the start and the same could be said for Reina and Valdes, giving some indication of the strength of Spanish football at the present.

What's unnerving for teams around the world, that only four members of this squad are over 30 and the team should be able to stick together for another four years and improve furter.

Opponents Chile finished in second place in the South American qualifying zone, just a single point behind league leaders Brazil.

The Chilean national team arrive in South Africa looking to attack, something they showed in qualifying where they netted an impressive 33 goals, again, second only to Brazil.

In Alexis Sanchez, they have one of world football's most promising youngsters. Known in Chile as The Wonder Boy, Sanchez brings lightning quick pace and skill to Chile's attack and was responsible for a number of the goals his side scored in qualification.

Where Chile struggle is defensively, and 22 goals conceded in qualifying tell their own story and is a problem for coach Marcelo Bielsa.

While Chile might cause Spain a few problems at the back, the calibre of Spain's attacking players will likely see them home; that said, it could be a great match.

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