FIFA World Cup Finals 2010 Match by Match (Group H)
Match by Match Reports
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Spanish-speaking teams from three continents, Honduras, Chile and Spain, met in this group along with Switzerland, who have not got past the first round since 1954. Chile's attacking style won over many neutrals although they also showed a capacity for rough play, and they went through along with Spain to the Round of 16.
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Honduras
Chile
Honduras 0 v 1 Chile
venue Nelspruit (32,600)
date Wednesday 16 June 12.30pm BST
Chile's commitment to attacking football came as a refreshing change after the ultra-cautious attitude adopted by most teams in the first round of matches. At times seven players were forward in support but Chile managed just one goal, from Beasejour after 34 minutes.
Spain
Switzerland
Spain 0 v 1 Switzerland
venue Durban (62,543)
date Wednesday 16 June 3pm BST
Switzerland pulled off the first real shock of the competition with a display of rugged and disciplined defence that stymied the much-fancied Spanish team. Spain dominated the game, keeping possession for lengthy periods and most of the play was in the Swiss half. Even so, Spain could not find the decisive final pass and it was Gelson Fernandes who snatched what proved to be the winning goal for the Swiss in a rare attack seven minutes into the second half.
Chile
Switzerland
Chile 1 v 0 Switzerland
venue Port Elizabeth (34,872)
date Monday 21 June 3pm BST
As expected, Switzerland played defensively against an attack-minded Chilean side. The match was marred by some petulant fouling and a poor display by the Saudi-Arabian referee, Khalil Al Ghamdi, who issued nine yellow cards, many for dubious offences, and sent Switzerland's Behrami off after he raised his arm into the face of Vidal when tussling. Chile's decisive goal came 15 minutes to play and was no less than they deserved.
Spain
Honduras
Spain 2 v 0 Honduras
venue Johannesburg EP (54,386)
date Monday 21 June 7.30pm BST
Spain finished as comfortable winners and could have had several more goals if they had taken their chances, which included a missed penalty.
Chile
Spain
Chile 1 v 2 Spain
venue Pretoria (41,958)
date Friday 25 June 7.30pm BST
The opening period was dominated by Chile but it was Spain who got the breakthrough when Claudio Bravo came out of his area to clear a long ball over the top only for his clearance to fall to David Villa, 45 yards out on the touchline. Without hesitation, Villa swept the ball towards the empty Chile net for a remarkable goal. The South Americans pressed for an equaliser but Spain stole a second goal and in the aftermath, Carlos Estrada was sent off. Chile pulled one back immediately after the interval but as the match drew towards its close news came through that Switzerland were drawing with Honduras and both teams played out the last minutes playing keep-ball.
Switzerland
Honduras
Switzerland 0 v 0 Honduras
venue Bloemfontein (28,042)
date Friday 25 June 7.30pm BST
The low attendance reflected the poor impression these two defensively minded teams made in South Africa, with just one goal between them in previous group matches. If Switzerland could win by two goals they would qualify for the next round regardless of what happened in Pretoria. In the event the Swiss failed to break down the Honduran defence and, much to the relief of neutrals, both teams were eliminated.
(Andre Silva)
Match by Match Reports
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